Two items not discussed at the April 12 regular city council meeting could prove lively topics at the next (or a future) council meeting. These include a resolution to study and develop reparations for Black residents and an advisory report on a proposed development on Greenbelt Road. In other actions, council declined to support federal Green New Deal legislation and declined to establish a city Green New Deal.
Legislation
Mayor Colin Byrd re-introduced his resolution to establish a 21-member commission appointed by council to study and develop reparations for Black residents of Greenbelt. Councilmember Judith Davis had raised some issues as to whether the introduction at the last council meeting was sufficient. This resolution will likely be up for final adoption at the April 26 regular meeting.
The resolution begins with 30 “whereas” clauses laying out the basis for the resolution stating that Black people have been unjustly enslaved, segregated and incarcerated, subjected to discrimination in education, employment and housing and have historically and currently receive inadequate health care and have been unjustly targeted by law enforcement and criminal justice procedures.
If adopted into law, the city council would be resolving that council apologizes and makes amends for its participation in and sanctioning of racism against Black people, and for “its enforcement of segregation and its accompanying discriminatory practices.” Further, it calls upon other organizations and institutions in Greenbelt that have advanced and benefited from racial inequity to join the city in its apologies and to address racism in their own structures and programs. Council would also be resolving to call upon the state to initiate policymaking and provide funding for reparations at the state level and encouraging the city manager to form policies and programs that will “establish the creation of generational wealth and address reparations due in the black community.”
The resolution calls upon council to establish a 21-member commission to make recommendations that will make significant progress toward repairing the damage caused by public and private systemic racism. The commission would be charged with issuing a report “in a timely manner” for consideration by the city and
participating community groups for incorporation into their respective short- and long-term priorities and plans.
The resolution notes that the report may include but not be limited to increasing minority homeownership and access to other affordable housing, increasing minority business ownership and career opportunities, strategies to grow equity and generational wealth, closing the gaps in health care, education, employment and pay, neighborhood safety and fairness within criminal justice.
Proposed Development
Council accepted as part of the consent agenda Advisory Planning Board (APB) Report 2021-02 regarding the preliminary site concept for a proposed development at 7010 Greenbelt Road. This location, near University Square, was previously occupied by a nursing home. Armory LLC is now proposing to build 90 age-restricted units in four buildings and is seeking city support for two zoning text amendments and one zoning variance to permit the project to move forward. The net effect is to lessen density and green space requirements for the development. In addition to reviewing and supporting city planning staff recommendations on these requests, APB voiced concern about potential for traffic accidents under the current configuration of the entrance from the property onto Greenbelt Road.
This proposal was discussed at a March 17 council worksession, which was reported in the March 25 issue of this paper.
Green New Deal
Council rejected a request from Byrd to support federal Green New Deal legislation. His motion died on a three-to-four vote with Roberts, Mach and Byrd in favor and Jordan, Davis, Putens and Pope opposed.
Council also defeated Byrd’s motion to charge GreenACES, the Advisory Committee on Trees and the Forest Preserve Advisory Board to develop recommendations as to whether and how Greenbelt should enact a local Green New Deal. The motion died on a two-to-five vote with Byrd and Roberts voting aye.
Maglev
Council unanimously approved sending letters to State Senator James Rosapepe and several Anne Arundel County officials encouraging them to join Greenbelt in opposing the maglev train and to President Joseph Biden and other federal officials in opposition to that project.
Trail Management
Council accepted without discussion Forest Preserve Advisory Report 2021-02 requesting council approval of a pilot program to address trail maintenance issues to inform the development of the Master Trails Plan. The issues to be studied include ways to improve drainage of eroded or muddy sections of trail, develop ways to make trails in persistently wet or muddy areas passable, dealing with trees fallen across trails, standards for controlling brush alongside trails and development of a process for public reporting of problems and suggestions related to trails.
Updates
City Manager Nicole Ard reported that staff has started discussing what will be needed to resume in-person meetings. She said some staffers, and likely some residents, are not able to participate in in-person meetings so they are looking to develop some form of live/online hybrid.
Ard updated council on the status of the police collective bargaining negotiations. Staff have met with legal counsel and look forward to working with the Fraternal Order of Police over the next few weeks. She identified the city’s negotiating team as Human Resources Director Mary Johnson, outside counsel, the assistant city manager (when named), herself, the City
Treasurer Bertha Gaymon and Police Chief Richard Bowers.
Statue
Council awarded a contract not to exceed $8,895 to Wellman Conservation to assess and clean the bas reliefs on the Community Center, to clean and repair the mother and child statue in
Roosevelt Center, to fabricate and install an interpretive panel to be placed near the statue and to paint the front façade windows of the Community Center.
Proclamations
Byrd presented a proclamation declaring the week of April 11 through 17 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Greenbelt and recognizing Communications Supervisor Alicia Williams and Communications Specialists Jessica Houle, Maria Auchter, Sarah Gignac and Jazmyn Fujii for their service.
Byrd also issued a proclamation in honor of Earth Day on Saturday, April 24 and urged residents to celebrate by supporting and joining in efforts to protect the environment and to preserve the beauty, wonder and diversity of the earth.
Council welcomed the new Executive Director of the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Megan Baco and praised the efforts of prior director Aaron Marcavitch, who is leaving the post at the end of April.
