In a cordial and constructive council meeting on Monday, June 14, city recreational facilities arose in a number of contexts. One focal point was the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trail where the city has now received two invoices from WMATA charging $50K and $107K, respectively, for “required review fees.” A Greek chorus of council members (all with the same script but speaking consecutively) denounced the fees as “outrageous” and Director of Planning Terri Hruby noted that, although the fees are paid out of money set aside by the developer, that simply reduces the amount available overall.
The WMATA reviews are related to electrical, lighting and security camera approval – which have been a much-reviewed and long-standing sticking point – a cyclic problem where WMATA raises a concern, the county gets involved, WMATA reviews the county reviews and then charges review fees before circling back again. Councilmembers Judith Davis and Emmett Jordan pointed out that the trail is also of benefit to WMATA in fulfilling their federal mandate to make Metro stations more bike- and pedestrian-accessible and wondered why the cost of WMATA’s reviews for its own purposes should fall on the city.
Environmental Issues
Councilmember Rodney Roberts several times referred to the irony of using Project Open Space (POS) funds to destroy the environment. In a discussion of a resolution to declare a climate change emergency, he pointed out that about half the city’s POS funds are being used for construction (half are required to be reserved for acquisition). He opined that “grandiose” statements on climate change were all very well, but climate change was the result of many thousands of small actions made over the years and that, to change it, many thousands of other small changes would be required. He thought the city should start making those changes.
Later in the meeting, when Roberts was asked by Mayor Colin Byrd to clarify his assertion about using POS funds for destruction, Roberts pointed out that the Buddy Attick Master Plan – partially funded by POS – required the destruction of numerous pine trees merely to add a couple of parking spaces. He pointed out that the majority of the POS funds expended benefited the residents of the central part of the city – who already had good access to open spaces – rather than the residents of Greenbelt West, who had almost none. Other council members in turn responded with counter examples of projects citywide to challenge his view, but Roberts was not mollified. Using POS funds to pave things over and cut down trees, he said, “made him sick.”
Roberts also (during the Pollinator Week proclamation discussion) noted that Public Works had sprayed herbicide to control the weeds on the bridge that spans the Stream Park at Hillside Road – where, especially as it was raining, chemicals were likely to drip into the Firefly Preserve area surrounding the stream below the bridge. He cautioned Public Works to be more attentive to their use of chemicals.
Council debated at length about the proposed Bureau of Engraving and Printing project. (There will be a story in next week’s issue.)
Covid-19 Impacts
Covid-19 was also thematic as council discussed the continuing effects of the pandemic on the pool opening and the Labor Day Festival. Recreation Director Greg Varda said that the city gyms would be open without reservations starting Monday, July 12 and that a group of lifeguards were about to complete their training so pools would hopefully be open without reservations before July 4, although health department regulations were still to be navigated.
He commented, ruefully, that re-opening was proving to be significantly more challenging than closing down. With summer camps starting the week of June 20, where attending children are still too young to be vaccinated, stringent control would still be required to ensure the safety of campers and city staff. Councilmember Silke Pope requested that more information on opening schedules be available via social media so that people wouldn’t be confused.
Also impacted is the Labor Day Festival, which will continue (as reported in the June 17 issue of the News Review) but without a carnival. Still in question is the Parade, which must pass numerous county permitting hurdles. City Manager Nicole Ard noted that the city had done all that was requested of it relating to the parade permit but the action and authority now rested with the county. Roberts remarked that he thought the city had become too dependent on outside paid entertainment like the carnival and paid game booths and had lost its original impetus. He would welcome a “retro” festival that returned to booths run by the organizations themselves to raise money for their activities.
Also related to Covid-19, there has been a moratorium on evictions during the pandemic, which is to lift shortly, affecting many city renters. Resident Lore Rosenthal requested that the city government become the focal point for organizing a forum on the topic. She noted that while there were volunteers ready to assist, only the city had the comprehensive reach to involve renters, landlords and the many others with a stake. Ard replied that CARES Director Dr. Elizabeth Parks would be available starting June 28 but did not commit the city to organizing an event.
In-person Council Meetings
Council voted to begin in-person meetings in July, possibly with a worksession on Wednesday, July 7 to work out any kinks in the process before the regular council meeting on Monday, July 12. Although the rule in the city offices is masks must be worn, council felt that CDC rules should apply to the meeting with masks required of those who were not vaccinated. There was also a sentiment to maintain some level of distancing, though both three and six feet were mentioned. The motion carried, with Ard noting that there were still some concerns about microphones and the logistics of remote access for those uncomfortable with in-person access.
Other Items
In other city news, an illegal auto rally held in the vicinity of Beltway Plaza resulted in an injury (the individual has recovered) before it was stopped by the police. The police will be moving to prevent such activities immediately and residents are encouraged not to participate. In another vehicle-related concern, Jordan bewailed the state of Greenbelt Road where WSSC is first tearing up and then patching the road. He notes that the patches are failing, leaving potholes which, he observed, will only get worse as the summer heats up and distorts the asphalt.