Two major topics arising in the Greenbelt City Council meeting of October 11 are covered in this article. Remaining topics will be covered in a future article.
Rent Support Funds
City Manager Nicole Ard reported that, as of October 8, there had been six rental grants made by the city from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds with additional utility grants either disbursed or in the pipeline. Those inquiring are also apprised of the possibility of a range of county grants and can receive counseling on the variety of options available. Of the six rental grants, there were two each from Greenbelt West, Center and East indicating that information on the grants had successfully percolated throughout the city. At that time, there had been 54 applications received (apparently from all areas of the city and with some of the 54 still incomplete as they work through processing). Ard noted that there is the potential to receive both rental and utilities grants as well as obtaining food assistance that may also lessen the financial burden on those in need. As of the October 11 meeting, the city has processed $67,000 in funds to 17 recipients and fielded 197 enquiries altogether.
Since the meeting, cumulative information through October 15 was provided in the weekly city manager’s report of that date. The report states the following: “Ten rental relief grants were provided via federal ARPA funds. This included support to: Greenbelt West (Franklin Park Apartments 7, Verde 1) and Greenbelt Central (Charlestowne North 1, Parkway Gardens 1). An additional application is pending further administrative review. This brings the total to 16 funded applications with one pending (17 funded applications total). At the end of the month, staff can present a city-wide chart of applications to date.”
Mayor Colin Byrd was concerned that CARES had temporarily halted the distribution of applications to allow current applications to be processed and suggested that the acceptance of applications continue perhaps with caveats about anticipated processing delays. Ard stated that potential applicants are told their information will be kept on file and updates sent out. Counselors are available to discuss alternatives. Councilmember Rodney Roberts also wondered whether CARES had received any requests for assistance to homeowners.
The October 15 weekly report (after this council meeting) contained no update on whether applications are again being distributed, with the city’s website referring interested parties to the CARES email and online page. The report did, however, note that, “In follow-up to councilmember questions, Dr. Liz Park confirmed that no inquiries were received regarding mortgage relief or fees affiliated with property associations (homeowners, condo, cooperative, etc.).”
Resident Lore Rosenthal commented that she felt the language announcing the current suspension of application distribution was confusing and may cause people to think the money had run out, especially if English is not their first language. She expressed disappointment that the anticipated part-time employees who were to process the applications weren’t hired ahead of when they were needed and suggested clarifying the message so people are reassured that the money has not run out and their applications will be considered in turn.
Councilmember Emmett Jordan also criticized the messaging, concerned that it was off-putting, and felt it would be preferable to send out the application to allow people to get to work on it, but letting them know there was a delay.
In response, Park relayed through Ard that 50 more applications had been issued to waiting applicants through Monday, October 11, and Ard noted that she relies on Park’s expertise in these matters.
Armory Space Study
A seemingly innocent request to approve funding for a city space study (inner, not outer) stumbled into deep water when Roberts complained that the armory is not on the list of buildings that would be considered.
Roberts believed that failure to include the armory when considering utilization of space for city facilities would be to ignore the directive of council, two years previously, to move forward on acquisition of the building. Roberts noted that apparently the building had been renovated not long before the National Guard moved out and felt the long holdup to inspect it (at a cost of over $120K) was unnecessary.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Gigliotti, highly motivated by the planned new firehouse and needing to plan for the current firehouse, was concerned that the city would lose the building. This concern was shared by Roberts, who noted that the delay may well have essentially rejected the offer of the building to the city. Gigliotti worried that, “If we don’t go ahead and take that building, the federal government could give that building to anyone they wanted.”
In response, Ard offered “some accurate information for folks” that the city had been in discussion with the owner and there was concern (echoed later by Councilmember Silke Pope) on accepting the handover of the building given what hazards it might contain and after the experience of the Community Center. Ard also harked back to that earlier acquisition and not knowing what the hazards were. She said that council previously received a verbal report regarding the state of the building from Public Works regarding the armory.
Roberts reiterated that we don’t own the property and that the city has not followed council’s instructions. He felt that excuses about possible hazards were being used to delay acquisition of the property.
Gigliotti warned that the Prince George’s County Fire Department has money to build firehouses. If they got the property, this might spell the end of the volunteer departments in the area as the county wants to consolidate fire services. He said that the Red Cross and other organizations also have their eyes on the property, which would put it out of reach for the city forever. He has spoken to the official handling the disposition of the armory, and she is anxious to divest the property. He was also concerned by his organization’s limbo. Not knowing whether they will get a new firehouse makes it hard to plan for the current firehouse.
Councilmember Judith Davis had a different point of view. She wants to acquire the armory, but doesn’t want the city or taxpayers to pay for a hazard that should be fixed by the federal government. Councilmember Silke Pope was also concerned at the risks involved.
The outcome after a rapid-fire and byzantine series of motion splittings, tablings and other Robertian maneuvers was the tabling of the request until the next meeting so that a worksession could be held on Monday, October 18 to develop a strategy and hear from Public Works on the status of the building.