On June 17, the Greenbelt City Council and staff shared responses to a series of questions posed by the Greenbelt East Advisory Coalition (GEAC) on a wide range of topics, including the effect of the pandemic on the city, recreation, municipal police operations, littering and traffic issues. Mayor Colin Byrd expressed that it was a pleasure to talk to this long-standing group, affording an opportunity to further unite the city. GEAC was represented by its chair, Rohanie Bacchus, and members Charlene McAdams, Sean Ballantine, Vijay Kowtha and Marti Galvin.
The COVID-19 response was the meeting’s first topic, with a focus first on St. Hugh’s Catholic Church, which is now open at 25 percent, per the requirements of the local archdiocese, and most importantly, the county. Councilmember Judith Davis remarked that the county should be the primary source of such guidance. Councilmember Emmett Jordan said that “local conditions require independent discretion” from the county and state, resulting in perhaps more strict actions in the city. Davis said that the city is operating under a “bare bones budget,” with no new non-essential hiring, nor any pay raises or merit payments. As this is a “bad time for residents,” she counseled an easement on assessing HOA and condo fees, something that Ballantine said is happening at Windsor Green.
City Manager Nicole Ard emphasized the continued teleworking by staff and that the city should anticipate “significant hits” in revenue. Ard is committed to keeping essential operations going and to providing as much assistance as possible, both financially and program-wise, to residents. She said “we are eager to get back” and asked residents to “bear with us” as staff works to make a reopening of facilities and programs as safe as possible. Ard said she is in frequent, sometimes daily, contact with all city departments.
Recreation Assistant Director of Facilities Joe McNeal explained the new, reopening procedures at the outdoor pool (estimated for early July), with limited entrance and exit, and only reservation-only lap swimming at first. Cleaning between one-hour sessions will be done, with swimmers having to bring their own chairs. Pool staff will be trained in safe rescue techniques and pool operations.
Recreation is at work on providing safe, outdoor movies at Buddy Attick and Schrom Hills Parks, pending county permission. The mask requirement at Buddy Attick Park will remain until the pandemic has lessened.
Council informed GEAC that since the police department is understaffed, the police budget was approved unaltered; this was in response to the question as whether the Greenbelt police would be experiencing defunding, per the national discussion occurring now. Davis said future worksessions will be devoted to police funding and procedures.
Chief Richard Bowers reassured GEAC that chokeholds and neck restraints are prohibited according to police policy. As a state and nationally accredited department, officers receive constant training and guidance, based on real-life scenarios, to enable them to always serve the public in a safe, helpful and humane manner. Internal procedures are in place that monitor officer conduct and largely prevent grievous incidents from happening.
Bowers said that while service calls are down in Greenbelt East, the crime rate has remained steady, mostly involving auto thefts.
A camera has been installed at Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS), with another planned for Schrom Hills Park. A portable camera, costing $15,000, is in place at Greenbriar.
City Planner Terri Hruby said that city inspectors have addressed and monitored the litter problem at Greenway Center through code enforcement. Council was dismayed at the loss of business there due to the pandemic.
Hruby said bikeshare stations at ERHS and four other sites will be installed this summer. The bus shelter on Hanover Parkway and upgrades in Greenbelt East will probably be complete in the fall.
Council said that the Bradford pear trees on Hanover Parkway, which have exceeded their 20-year life span, will be removed using a phased approach.
Severe overcrowding is an issue for virtually all schools in the northern part of the county. Springhill Lake Elementary has reached its limits with temporary buildings and needs to be replaced, and ERHS is in line for an addition. Two sites, at Glen Oaks/Greenbriar Phase Three and Windsor Green, have been considered for a new elementary and middle school.