The January 13 regular meeting of the Greenbelt City Council opened with the presentation of a proclamation recognizing Martin Luther King Day and the introduction of two new city staff members. Because the proclamation emphasized the service to be performed on that day, it was presented to the city’s new environmental coordinator, Kevin Carpenter-Driscoll, who gave an overview of this year’s Day of Service events.
Introduction of the soon-to-be new city treasurer, Laura Allen, followed. Allen officially takes over at the end of the month when longtime City Treasurer Jeff Williams retires. Allen was welcomed by the council and staff, and Councilmembers Judith Davis and Edward Putens expressed their appreciation for Williams’ many years of service to the city.
Lois Rosado, co-chair of the Black History Month Committee, introduced other committee members and gave an overview of activities planned for Greenbelt’s first month-long black history celebration. She said they are working jointly with the Old Greenbelt Theatre, the Greenbelt Museum and Beltway Plaza to provide events. Councilmember Emmett Jordan noted that while Greenbelt has marked Black History Month for years, this year is the city’s first month-long organized event. He said he had been hoping for that for some time.
The 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in America was also recognized, and another proclamation was presented to Old Greenbelt Theatre Executive Director Caitlin McGrath in honor of the theater’s being named by the Washington City Paper as the best nonprofit movie theater in Maryland in 2019.
Administrative Reports
Many residents have noticed and enjoyed the attractive plantings at the Barber & Stylist business located at 151-A Centerway. Anwar Saleh, the barber with the green thumb, has asked if another location could be found for the adjacent trash dumpster at the corner. Others have also observed that while most dumpsters are somewhat discreetly hidden, that one marks an entry point to part of the center and is visible from Crescent Road. Assistant City Manager David Moran said staff members are looking for another location but so far have not found any place that wouldn’t be just as problematic.
On September 25 council held a worksession with the Forest Preserve Advisory Board to discuss a number of revisions recommended by the board to the legislation governing the Forest Preserve. A public hearing was subsequently held on December 9. At tonight’s meeting two ordinances were introduced by Davis for first reading. The draft ordinances will be introduced for second reading and discussion at the January 27 council meeting.
2020 Bond Initiative
The city’s 2020 Legislative Program includes submission of a bond initiative for recreation amenities at Greenbelt Station. Moran said it was time for the city to identify a specific project and matching funds in order to proceed with the request. He said the staff recommendation was that funding be requested to support the hiker/biker trail to the Greenbelt Metro Station. This project is already planned and is estimated to cost $2.1 million. The city has more than $1.8 million allocated for it, including a $75,000 State bond initiative obtained in 2018. Moran proposed seeking an additional $250,000 bond initiative to cover the shortfall.
Councilmember Leta Mach expressed concern about what might happen if the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) never gives the city permission to use the land. City Solicitor Todd Pounds had recently been in communication with WMATA and had determined they wanted only minor adjustments to the city’s plan. Following further discussion, council voted unanimously to approve the proposed project for the bond initiative request for Greenbelt Station.
Federal Legislation
Davis had requested that the council offer support for three pieces of federal legislation under consideration in Congress. Councilmembers agreed unanimously to support the following bills: The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), which has passed in the House, would establish programs and requirements related to prescription drugs. It would also require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to negotiate prices for certain drugs.
The Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act (S. 2918) would establish a federal grant program for projects that benefit pollinators on roadsides and highway rights-of-way: e.g., the planting and seeding of native, locally-appropriate grasses and wildflowers. Although Councilmember Rodney Roberts questioned the wisdom of enticing pollinators to roadsides, he supported legislation with the rest of council.
The Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act (S. 2543) has passed the Senate Finance Committee and is intended to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as to improve transparency related to pharmaceutical prices and transactions.