At its April 25 meeting, the Greenbelt City Council voted unanimously to accept the recommended bid by local government financial systems vendor Edmunds. City Treasurer Bertha Gaymon explained that the current system was manual and the new system will get them “into the 21st century” and had been “a long time coming.” Edmunds was the middle of three bids but considered preferable in capability and support for automating and streamlining the city’s mostly manual, paper-based system – which is also no longer maintained by its vendor. Capabilities include online payments in- and out-bound instead of in-person or mailed checks and electronic connections to financial institutions for direct download and upload of transactions.
Evolutionary Software
Edmunds’ representative John Wray described the NCSJ software suite, deployed to over 2,000 local governments. He said it was evolutionary and a subscription included ongoing updates. On being asked by Mayor Emmett Jordan about “end of life” for the package, Wray said, “There is no end-of-life plan because the system is constantly evolving.” He also noted that the system is modular and additional components can be incorporated as needed or developed. The initial contract is for three years, and at that time, the city has the option to renew.
Jordan asked how the system will be introduced. Gaymon said the two systems would be run in parallel for comparison purposes and that the two phases of system implementation would take from six or seven months to perhaps 11 months, with Wray more conservative than she.
Evictions
Franklin Park resident, Marcella Guerrero, spoke for herself and others who are getting eviction notices for non-payment of rent. Wearing a CASA of Maryland sweatshirt, and with the assistance of a Spanish translator provided by CASA, she requested more rental assistance be directed to her community because problems resulting from the pandemic were going to put families out on the street. Council responded that there were already measures in place through the city and the county to provide such support and requested that Greenbelt CARES staff should investigate the concerns. (Editor’s Note: The city website states that CARES is not currently accepting applications for rental assistance and suggests “in the interim, you can reach out to these other county resources ….” The webpage appears to be provided in English only.)
Pathway
Daniel Gomez and Kevin Hammett requested the revitalization of the existing asphalt pathway that runs between Greentree Place and Periwinkle Court and its extension to Lastner Lane. The easements exist and two sets of stairs and some asphalt remain but have become eroded.
Mosquito Control
Evelyn Crellin spoke about the city’s participation in the county mosquito spraying program. She pointed out that pesticides kill the weakest mosquitos, resulting in a pesticide-resistant population. She noted that spraying harms the environment and is toxic to humans and other creatures, including songbirds and pollinators already close to extinction. Fears of West Nile virus had, she noted, caused an overreaction in favor of spraying, when other measures would be more effective. She made the point that effective control would focus on eliminating breeding sites and cited the prevalence of these in the city. She requested that a task force be formed to consider the problem and offered to serve on it.
Later in the meeting, in discussing Councilmember Kristen Weaver’s motion for such a task force, councilmembers suggested a worksession, perhaps cooperatively with Green ACES. Acting City Manager Tim George confirmed that the city can provide “dunks” for standing water (e.g., ponds or rain barrels) to interrupt the breeding cycle. Spraying activities require participation by the county. (A mosquito dunk is a small donut-shaped floating device that releases a bacterium that prevents the development of larvae for up to 30 days and is approved for use in organic production.)
Call to Action
Bill Orleans wanted council to make sure the ethics commission would review candidate financial reports, noting that it was the 153rd day since the request was made. He was also concerned that council on April 11 passed a motion to accept applications for persons wishing to be appointed to the reparations commissions and wanted to know why it wasn’t happening. Councilmember Judith Davis resolved the question by explaining the ongoing process.
Proclamations
The mayor read two proclamations: National Poetry Week and National Municipal Clerks week. He lauded Poetry in the Gardens – their next event will be held on Sunday, May 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Three Sisters Garden in Schrom Hills Park. The council chamber listened to a moving poem, delivered by published poet Balsac Montes of Greenbelt. Jordan also praised the work and professionalism of Greenbelt’s team of City Clerk Bonita Anderson and Administrative Assistant Shania Ashley-Mullins. In other city news, George noted that work on the Buddy Attick Park parking lot had begun and should be substantially complete in time for July 4 celebrations.
The meeting’s activity related to the Luminis Health application for amalgamating the existing multiple lots on which Doctors Community Medical Center was built is described in a story in the May 5 issue of the News Review.