At its February 12 meeting, the Greenbelt City Council took up issues connected to the State Legislative Assembly. The meeting also included discussion of facilities around Greenbelt, approval of funds to plan for high-speed internet in Greenbelt, the tracking of state and county legislation, and a report on electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations in the city. A future council story will discuss the internet, sustainable communities and EVs, among other topics.
Tracking Legislation
Council then turned to the proposal made by City Manager Josué Salmerón that Greenbelt hire the consulting firm Carrington & Associates for $24,000 plus expenses per year to help keep the city informed about legislation being considered at county and state levels. Mayor Emmett Jordan explained that the purpose here is, for example, to help council identify among the 3,000 bills now up for consideration by the state legislature those important to Greenbelt. Councilmembers Jenni Pompi and Danielle McKinney expressed concern about entering this contract without first meeting with company representatives to make sure they understand Greenbelt’s needs and interests. Councilmember Kristen Weaver emphasized the need for more information about proposals being considered by the Prince George’s County Council. Councilmember Rodney Roberts stated his opposition, explaining that many of the 3,000 state bills do not affect Greenbelt and that council should and can obtain this information from county and state officials for itself. Resident Bill Orleans agreed with Roberts and resident Leon Schachter asked if council had ever felt this need for a consultant before. Jordan answered yes, council has been blindsided on pending legislation, and explained that while councilmembers and staff do work with other officials, they still need this outside advice. Resident Connie Jones supported the proposal as stated. In response, then, noting that the state legislature meets from January to April so that the present session is well underway in Annapolis, council added a six-month review and approved the contract, with only Roberts voting nay.
Land Use
In a related discussion, council examined three current pieces of proposed legislation, the first one being considered by Prince George’s County, which would give its municipalities slightly more power to control land use within their jurisdictions. Jordan explained, for example, that council had voted to oppose Royal Farms’ development of land on Greenbelt Road beside the Honda dealership into an auto service center and convenience store, so the developer turned to the county planning board and received permission that overrode council’s opposition. Recognizing that the bill under consideration would grant the city only a small increase of authority over such proposals, council voted its support nonetheless, Roberts excepted, with other members judging that small progress is better than no progress at all.
Youth Services Bureaus
Council then voiced its support for state legislation that restores funds for the nine Youth Services Bureaus in Maryland which include Greenbelt CARES, “a community based, family-oriented counseling program dedicated to promoting responsible behavior and appropriate family management skills” that offers “counseling services for families at our Wednesday Night Family Clinic” and other times when possible, according to its website.
No Funds for Maglev
In the final Legislative topic of discussion, council supported a bill, introduced for a third time in Annapolis by District 22 State Senator Alonzo Washington and State Delegate Nicole Williams, that would prevent state funds from being used to develop maglev, the high-speed train that, if built, will travel through parts of Greenbelt.
Around Greenbelt
In addition, Salmerón and others walked through Springhill Lake Recreation Center with Kevin Lockhart, Franklin Park resident and recent applicant for the open council seat, to identify immediate needs and areas for long-term improvements, following discussion of needs in Greenbelt West, and the recreation department in particular, at the February 7 worksession (see article on p. 1). Jordan asked that volunteers be organized to remove trash from and around the pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, and Weaver and Councilmember Silke Pope asked the city manager to act on requests by the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee that safety strips on the concrete steps outside the Greenbelt Library be improved. Council also briefly discussed the need to move its worksessions around Greenbelt to improve accessibility and better engage citizens from all sections of the city.
Petitions and Requests
Resident John Campanile asked that, while the city considers adding directions signage to the streets of Greenbelt, it also consider signs asking motorists to be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists. Resident Bill Orleans again questioned council’s right to award bonuses to city employees during closed sessions. Jordan advised that anyone submitting requests should afterward check the city manager’s report online as Salmerón and his staff almost always answer these requests (see Weekly Reports in the City Manager’s Office under the Government tab of the city website, greenbeltmd.gov).