Greenbelt’s advisory boards and committees fill the dual purpose of serving the needs of the Greenbelt City Council and of the city’s residents, responding to referrals from both, as well as having the ability to act independently on issues they deem vital. Twelve chairs from these volunteer groups, all appointed by council, met with council on July 6 to report on their past efforts, future plans and concerns. Mayor Emmett Jordan said these boards are essential to council and continue the city’s tradition of “residents in leadership.”
Employee Relations
Kevin Murphy, chair of the Employee Relations Board, reported that they are at full capacity, with five members. The board acts mostly as an arbitrator, with a level of confidentiality, in city employee grievances and appeals. They are an integral part of developing the Greenbelt Police Department (GPD) collective bargaining agreement with the city.
Public Safety
The Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), represented by then-chair Laura Kressler (Peggy Higgins is now chair), is a seven-member group focused on all issues around public safety. They have been active in the recent past on the issues of policing and police reform through several community forums and with their extensive review of the Fair and Just Policing Act proposed by Councilmember Colin Byrd when he was mayor. This review has led council to enact 22 of their recommendations to the GPD’s General Orders, with the remaining eight still being studied.
Senior Citizens
Betty Timer, chair of the Senior Citizen’s Advisory Committee, described their efforts to solicit feedback from residents on their positive views and suggestions for improvement on the workings of the city, done through an open Zoom forum last year. The issues that emerged revolved around increasing a sense of community in the city as well as improved traffic safety. Councilmember Judith Davis acknowledged the group’s work on getting lighting and non-skid strips at the Community Center. The next open forum will be on Saturday, September 24; whether it will be held in person or via Zoom is undecided. Timer was grateful for the city’s program for celebrating centenarians.
Forest Preserve
The Forest Preserve Advisory Board has been updating their stewardship guidelines to include the recent council-approved inclusion of the Greenbriar tract into the city’s Forest Preserve. Chair Donna Hoffmeister requested council action on removing the indoor furniture, rusted grill and pavilion at the site.
Environmental Sustainability
The Green Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (Green ACES) and its auxiliary group, the Green Team, both chaired by John Lippert, are active on a host of issues. Recently, they sponsored No Mow Month and the Firefly Sanctuary. Their Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Group is working on having an electric vehicle presentation in all three sections of the city, with one proposed for Schrom Hills Park during National Drive Electric Week in late September. Improving the composting capacity of the city is being deliberated, with Trinity Assembly of God Church on Good Luck Road a likely partner. The Green Team is an offshoot of the state’s Sustainable Maryland program; the group is focused on certifying the city every three years, with Greenbelt standing as a local leader. Green Team member Steve Skolnik reported on the ongoing process by Standard Solar Inc., a Rockville company, to build a solar array for the county, from which the city’s municipal buildings can draw; completion is expected in Spring 2023. Green ACES, normally at 11 members, has three vacancies.
Appeals
Skolnik, also chair of the Board of Appeals, which oversees issues with the city property standards under Chapter Four of the City Code, reported little to do as city staff are so responsive to resident concerns.
Elections
The Board of Elections, under Steve Gilbert, is looking for a new contractor to deal with the city’s next municipal elections, reporting problems with last year’s mail-in voting with Electec Election Services Inc. Payment was made for the services rendered. Greenbelt’s mail-in voting period exceeds most surrounding municipalities.
Trees
All things to do with trees are within the purview of the Advisory Committee on Trees, chaired by Charles Jackman. Six walks in the Forest Preserve with the Forest Preserve Advisory Board revealed 49 significant trees (whose diameter is over 2 feet) and a possible county champion. Jackman said that Greenbelt has 62 percent canopy cover.
Education
The Advisory Committee on Education acts as a liaison between the city’s schools and council, presenting awards to teachers and students each year. Chair Janet Mirsky revealed that the group, ideally at 10 members, is down to four members yet the committee has managed to function as usual. A high point was the project with Eleanor Roosevelt High School students helping Magnolia Elementary School students with their robotics programs.
Park and Recreation
Chair Jake Chesnutt reported that the Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) has been assessing the Buddy Attick Park Master Plan and the indoor recreation plans of the Beltway Plaza redevelopment. Along with the Recreation Department and members from other boards, PRAB has assisted in the yearly reviews of status and grant applications for city recognition and contribution groups. PRAB has nine members when full and currently has six.
Community Relations
The Community Relations Advisory Board, chaired by Jamie Krauk, has worked alongside PSAC in their community police forums and study of the Fair and Just Policing Act. Three issues they have been considering are: whether collective bargaining agreements should be extended to non-police staff, whether noncitizens should be allowed to vote in municipal elections and whether councilmembers should have term limits.
Planning
The Advisory Planning Board, under Ben Friedman, is involved with much of the ongoing city development, including the Beltway Plaza redevelopment, the Royal Farms proposal, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing relocation to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the Greenbelt Road Corridor Plan.
Discussion
Council encouraged all the boards to be up-to-date in posting their meeting minutes on the city’s website, as it is public information, and to make sure all members are current with their reappointment deadline. Interim City Manager Timothy George assured council that staff will send out reappointment notices to all boards.
Recruitment is of vital concern for the boards and council. Lippert asked for more independent and immediate power to recruit when vacancies present themselves. Kressler suggested a group table at the Labor Day Festival Information Day. Jordan proposed an open house event. Council encouraged the boards to let council know if any members are remiss in regular attendance and may require replacement.
Krauk extolled staff for providing a “lens of practicality” to board recommendations – “a reality check,” said Councilmember Silke Pope, on whether projects are feasible with city resources and staff. George said that the city strives to do as much as it can with limited staff and must prioritize.
– Deb Daniel also contributed to this story.