At its June 7 regular meeting, the Greenbelt City Council moved toward normality on a couple of fronts – adopting the county’s policies on Covid-19 precautions and hoping to be able to host the July 4 fireworks once again – and generated its own fireworks over hiring a parliamentarian.
Council also met the new assistant city manager and new director of human resources.
Figurative Fireworks
Councilmember Rodney Roberts moved that the city hire a parliamentarian to staff each city council meeting. He said council was not following its own rules and it needed a parliamentarian to make sure it does. He specifically mentioned the vote on Mayor Colin Byrd’s motion at the April 26 regular meeting to form a commission on reparations where four councilmembers abstained, which he said was against council’s rules.
City Solicitor Todd Pounds, who serves as parliamentarian under his agreement with the city, pointed out that no parliamentarian will dictate to council how it should proceed. City staff had gathered quotes on the cost for this service, which ran from $125/hour to $225/hour. The June 7 meeting ran for more than 4.5 hours, which would have resulted in charges ranging from $562 to $1,012.
Acknowledging that his motion appeared to contradict his stand during the budget debate earlier in the meeting that nothing be added to the manager’s proposed budget, Roberts said he wanted the city to fund the position within the existing budget. Ard said that the relevant budget area is legal expenses, where $150,000 is allocated for general legal services.
This item proved quite contentious, featuring a fair amount of council argument and chastisements by two residents of council’s conduct. Bill Orleans suggested the mayor concentrate on presiding over the meeting and only commenting when necessary and Bob Rudd called council’s incessant arguing a disgrace.
Finding little support for his motion, Roberts withdrew it.
Actual Fireworks
The county still has restrictions in place that may make it difficult for the city to hold the annual fireworks display on July 4. Council strongly supported bringing the fireworks back and the Department of Public Works applied for a permit about one month ago. Director Jim Sterling has a meeting scheduled with the fire marshal to get the permit. He said he was “pretty confident” they can hold the show this year.
Covid Restrictions
Council agreed to adopt the county’s guidelines for Covid-19 reopening and masks. In line with the flexibility afforded property owners under county guidelines, the city will continue to require masks to be worn inside city facilities.
New Faces
City Manager Nicole Ard introduced two new senior city officials: Assistant City Manager Tim George and Human Resources Director Dawane Martinez. Ard noted that Martinez is a certified human resources professional and has experience in gender and diversity issues. George is a certified economic developer and has experience in city administration.
Air Conditioning
Byrd moved to direct the city solicitor to draft an ordinance that would require landlords to supply and maintain air conditioning at 80 degrees or less from April 1 through September 30. This motion was defeated due to conflicting county regulations that require air conditioning be provided between June 1 and September 30 and to provide heat until May 15.
Proclamations
Byrd issued proclamations declaring June as Peace Month; Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Queer Pride Month; declaring the week of June 5 Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week; and retroactively declaring June 4 as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Greenbelt.
Petitions and Requests
Orleans noted that the eviction moratorium expires at the end of June. He called upon the city to hold a worksession to discuss what options are available to tenants facing eviction.
Lore Rosenthal called upon council to hold a worksession on how to spend the funds it will receive under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Michael Hartman noted that it has been 40 years since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first reported upon the disease now known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thirty-two million people have died of that disease, he said.