New Police Crisis Intervention Team Off to Successful Start
The Greenbelt Police Department (GPD) has begun implementing its new Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) with counselor Rachel Tobin. According to Tobin, “CIT will assist with welfare checks, domestic abuse, geriatric and juvenile issues with behavioral health concerns, victim support, critical incidents, emergency petitions and repeat callers to 911 who are identified with behavioral health concerns.” […]
Council Prepares for New Small Cell Infrastructure
The growing demand for increasing the coverage, data capacity and durability of wireless infrastructure is of high interest to the city, considering that cellphones are now many residents’ main, if not sole, avenue for communication. This fact was brought to the fore by the recent storm that debilitated city wireless accessibility for days in some […]
Council Ponders Its Work Plan, Tends to Administrative Issues
The Greenbelt City Council addressed administrative issues at its August 10 meeting. Mayor Emmett Jordan initiated a debate on the possibility of moving the scheduling of future worksessions from the end of regular (often long) meetings to a worksession, feeling that council would have a fresher perspective. Council and staff were amenable (with one exception) […]
City Council Sorts Priorities For ARPA Fund Allocations
On July 18, Greenbelt City Council continued its deliberations on the eventual uses of the $22.88M of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in an effort to disburse them in the most equitable and impactful way for the city and its residents. In defense of the city’s lengthy and painstaking approach, Council member Ric Gordon […]
Council Debates Reparations Committee Interview Process
Greenbelt is currently accepting applications for the 21-member Reparations Commission, with a deadline of Sunday, July 31. On July 20, the Greenbelt City Council met to work out an interview process. While a clear and final approach was not reached, the solid beginnings of a plan were achieved by meeting’s end. Two of the main […]
City’s Advisory Board Chairs Report Activities to Council
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 […]
ARPA Worksession Descends Into Disagreements and Discord
On June 8, what began as a Greenbelt City Council worksession to deliberate on potential uses of ARPA funds transitioned into more of a public hearing where residents aired their views on the matter as well as sharing some deeply felt concerns about the issue of equity in the city, specifically concerning Greenbelt West. While […]
Public Works Discusses Budget, Capital Projects with City Council
The city’s Public Works Department has as their mission to preserve, maintain and improve the city’s infrastructure, parks and green spaces. They are essential workers, to be considered one of the city’s first responders. On May 16, Public Works Co-Directors Brian Kim and Brian Townsend, along with Sustainability Coordinator Luisa Robles, shared with council their […]
Council Holds Public Hearing On Upcoming 2023 Budget
The Greenbelt City Council meeting on Monday, May 9 was focused on the public hearing for the upcoming budget (the first of two), but included residents sharing views on the recent shooting (May 2) and eviction relief. Representatives of the Greenbelt Police Department, Public Works, as well as the Greenbelt Assistance in Living Program (GAIL) […]
Fire Department, CERT, CART Present FY 23 Budget Needs
The Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD, represented by Chief Thomas Ray), the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Community Animal Response Team (CART), both represented by Laura Kressler, met with the Greenbelt City Council on Monday, May 2 to present their needs for the Fiscal Year 23 city budget. Ray reported that the Greenbelt Fire […]