The annual meeting between the Greenbelt City Council and representatives of the city’s advisory boards and committees was held on June 24. These groups provide guidance to council on a wide range of areas. Said Councilmember Judith Davis, “we can’t do our job without you,” praising them for their creative ideas, as “we can’t think of everything.” Due to the pandemic shutdown, most of these groups have been less active, with many of their projects on hold for the time being.
Seniors
Marti Galvin, chair of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee (SCAC), laid out three pressing issues that were contained in a letter to council: the need for senior housing, parking at Springhill Lake Recreation Center, and better lighting and contrast edging on steps at the Community Center and other outside areas. She thanked council for the improvements concerning the latter at Roosevelt Center. SCAC is looking into having their first virtual open forum in September, but will need to address access to technology issues with participants. A Greenbelt Widowed Persons Support group is in the works and will be advertised. SCAC welcomes applications for new members, not necessarily seniors.
Environment
GreenACES Chair John Lippert laid out their projects underway before the pandemic hit, including: a firefly sanctuary, recommendations for the NRP Group multi-family housing project near the Federal Courthouse on Cherrywood Lane and the Hanover Parkway bike path. The Green Team, which includes members of GreenACES, has been busy with the process of making Greenbelt a certified, sustainable Maryland municipality. A USDA cooperative agreement grant is being sought to fund an onsite compost project. Davis asked GreenACES to aid the Public Works Department in finding a new company to handle paper and cardboard recycling at Buddy Attick Park and Greenbelt East.
CRAB
Jaime Krauk, co-chair of the Community Relations Advisory Board (CRAB), has been holding meetings around the city to gather input from residents. With staff assistance, they have focused on providing information in two languages to all city apartment complexes about available resources during the pandemic as well as on community cleanup. Recent past effort has been on creating a healthy debate on shutting down the 1033 police military surplus program. CRAB continues to include the full spectrum of city neighborhoods within its board members.
Board of Appeals
Board of Appeals Chair Steve Skolnik praised city staff for making the board’s job easier through their ability to deal with any appeals relating to actions taken in the administration and enforcement of city code. “We are ready to serve,” he said, “if an appeal comes up,” to fulfill their legal mandate.
Cindy Comproni, representing the Public Safety Advisory Committee, said little has been underway since the pandemic hit. Programs like Stop the Bleed and National Night Out have been postponed, though Davis commented that the latter may happen through “creative ways” and with social distancing.
Planning
Advisory Planning Board (APB) Chair Keith Chernikoff said that APB has been reviewing the NRP Group development project which “just broke ground”, the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zone (part of the Prince George’s County Zoning Rewrite) and the Beltway Plaza redevelopment.
Employees
Kevin Murphy, of the Employee Relations Board, which handles appeals and grievances concerning city staff, has updated its resource binder and summary of their process for employees. He said of their work, “we deal with it as it comes” and “cannot predict” what each matter will dictate. “The learning curve starts with the grievance.” Their last arbitration was resolved in the middle of 2019.
PRAB
Park and Recreation Advisory Board Chair Jake Chestnut said, “We are living in an interesting time,” concerning the new virtual approach. Davis said that the Buddy Attick Park Master Plan was deferred for budgetary reasons, but would be revisited. The Recreation Department has been making an informal survey of city facilities to determine their needs.
Youth
Arsalan Siddiqui, chair of the Youth Advisory Board, said that his group is intent on improving school safety, particularly after school hours, and also focusing on voter registration and voting itself in municipal elections. They are looking to use virtual means to keep youth engaged with community affairs.
Forest Preserve
Forest Preserve Advisory Board Chair Donna Hoffmeister said that the group has requested zones of reserved open space from council and looks forward to future discussions. They plan to solicit public comment on the Master Trail Plan. They have suggested that the Greenbriar forest area be made part of the Forest Preserve.
Education
Melinda Brady, chair of the Advisory Committee on Education, said that with the school shutdown in mid-March, the grant funds released in February have not been made use of by most of their recipients; thus, a 12-month blanket extension has been enacted for the grants to be completed and an activity report submitted. Eleanor Roosevelt High School scholar-ship winners have been notified.
Trees
Charles Jackman, from the Advisory Committee on Trees, said that the April 4 Arbor Day tree planting was postponed until fall. A new tree in memory of Eleanor Roosevelt was planted by Public Works and a more public dedication has been suggested for October.
Elections
The Election Board, chaired by Patricia Evans, is continuing to explore mail-in voting and is researching machines for early voting.
Arts
The Arts Advisory Board, chaired by Kristin Stenson, has been involved in uniting the Greenbelt arts community through mixers and information sessions. They have put forward a proposal for enhanced, year-round lighting at Roosevelt Center. Artist-in-residence Kathy Karlson has put forth a proposal to do artwork for the Municipal Building.
Davis asked City Clerk Bonita Anderson to remind all of these groups to post their minutes and reports as soon as possible to allow council to better assess and act on their recommendations.
City Manager Nicole Ard stated that the city is focused on preparing city facilities such as the pool, playgrounds and Dog Park to allow more and safer public use. Virtual camps have begun as well as outdoor recreation activities. The city is now working with the Capitol Area Food Bank on future activities relating to food insecurity.