The Greenbelt City Council’s regular August 10 meeting provided multiple steps forward and some lively moments. Ending with something of a shouting match, it also made progress toward resolving the disposition of the armory and the implementation of a tenant advisory board. Leaf blowers, murals, trucks, compost and the new school year also made appearances in an agenda that didn’t quite fit into the two-hour limit on meeting length, with council declining to extend the meeting.
Armory Progress
Earlier this year, after the AMAR Group assessed the armory’s state and recommended the building be demolished, and after several public meetings, three options were proposed, of which the municipal mixed-use option was preferred.
Councilmember Kristen Weaver described this consensus on the use of the acquisition in requesting the city to move forward with a feasibility study. Councilmembers Amy Knesel and Frankie Fritz echoed the need for a realistic, practical plan. Mayor Emmett Jordan felt that support was stronger for retail or housing use than for municipal facilities but wanted to initiate an application for a demolition grant given it might take a few tries to succeed. He also felt more consulting assistance might be needed to refine the plan.
Resident Frank Gervasi, who had spoken to the topic earlier, spoke in favor of the study but wanted to use the facility to celebrate the New Deal heritage of the city, pointing out a current glut of office space in the city, with a large percentage of vacancies.
The feasibility study motion passed, with Jordan voting against because he felt the first-listed item (municipal building offices) was not the preferred alternative. The vote was taken against a background of vociferous protests by resident Bill Orleans, whose comments had been declared off topic.
Tenant Advisory Board
Councilmember Jenni Pompi proposed setting up a tenant board of seven members, each for one-year terms, in an advisory capacity to concern themselves with issues relating to rental properties in the city. Pompi stated it was partly a question of civic engagement – tenants are the majority of residents, but they aren’t on boards and they vote less often. Councilmembers are frequently contacted by unhappy renters.
She sees the tenant board as connecting council with the renter community to understand what the city can implement to serve them. Its purpose is to strengthen communications among tenants, landlords and the city. She feels that tenants now feel powerless and she hopes for a wide swath of representation.
City Manager Josué Salmerón stated that a resolution was required to create a new advisory board. Weaver suggested a two-year term for members. Fritz wanted to see it connected to city government as a whole, not just council. He also wanted to educate the tenant community on the services available to them. Pompi thought that seven members was a practical number for effectiveness and agreed on a two-year term.
Council directed the city manager to move forward with recommendations for setting up such a committee. Earlier in the meeting, comments by resident Shaymar Higgs had also supported such a move. Resident Bill Orleans wanted to mandate that rental owners post related city ordinances in every entrance hallway.
School Opening
Jordan complimented Salmerón on the cleanup of the walkways used by students on their way to school. The police department is providing support for school opening as the rebuilding of Springhill Lake Elementary and its temporary relocation to the former Dora Kennedy building results in different walking patterns for students.
There is concern over getting children from that school building to the Springhill Lake Recreation Center’s after-school program. A request to bus Dora Kennedy students from that building to the program was not accepted by Prince George’s County Public Schools in the past
In response to Knesel,
Salmerón suggested monitoring the after-school program to see if the extended walk was affecting attendance.
Aquatic Center Fees
With some Roberts Rules juggling involved, council voted unanimously to reset Aquatic Center fees – taking the first and second reading the same evening. The result is an overall five percent increase in pass fees. Assistant Director of Recreation Facilities and Operations Andrew Phelan noted that staff would prefer to make adjustments occur more consistently (it’s three years since the last one), approximately two years apart but in smaller increments. Phelan noted that Greenbelt, compared to other local facilities, offered both pool and exercise areas for one fee whereas other local facilities charge for each. Phelan also confirmed that funds continue to be available for residents who need financial assistance and that there are still senior citizen rates.
Skate Park Mural
Council passed a motion to spend $10,000 on a mural on the retaining wall of the skate park (between the Community Center and the Youth Center). Financed by a state bond bill, there is no direct cost to the city.
This mural is expected to reduce graffiti and form a gateway statement for the nearby community facilities. Similar murals are suggested or under way in other parts of the city, including the Greenbelt Cinema.
Vehicles Purchase
Purchase of three vehicles for Public Works sparked a question by Orleans on electric vehicle purchase. City Environmental Coordinator Kevin Carpenter-Driscoll explained that current electric equivalents either did not have the required capability or were prohibitively expensive.
Carpenter-Driscoll assured council that an EV evaluation was part of the process of obtaining any city vehicles and noted (to exclamations of joy from Weaver) that the new refuse collection EV had just arrived. Purchase was approved.
Electrification Project
Council also approved a $29,800 contract with Steven Winters Associates for a de-carbonization roadmap project funded by state grants. The study assesses ways in which the city can reduce its carbon emissions (some city buildings are heated or cooled with natural gas).
Salmerón clarified that the study would recommend electrically-powered replacements as the current units reach end of life.
Salmerón added that the Aquatic Center was a major user of power and might be a good candidate for geothermal energy because of its proximity to Braden Field, under which such a project could be installed.
Sustainability Coordinator Luisa Robles noted that Green Ridge House was not included in the survey, perhaps because it is managed by a third party.
Leaf Blowers
Prince George’s County has invited comments on a bill to ban gas-powered leaf blowers for implementation in 2027. Pompi submitted for consideration a letter that included a program for rebates and buy-backs of this relatively expensive machinery to help businesses and governments mitigate the loss of existing machinery. The proposed legislation also bans the use of the blowers a year before it bans the sale of them and the letter proposed flipping those two dates. After minor wordsmithing, council voted to submit the letter to the county.
Tennis Court Noise
Resident Julie Miller spoke for residents of Lakeside Drive whose homes back onto the tennis courts. She stated that the tennis court lights are now going off at 11 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. as previously done, resulting in late night disturbances from “yelling, shouting, cursing and loud music,” as the homes are only 70 to 120 feet from the courts. This is in violation of the existing noise ordinance.
The residents requested that the hours for lighting be set back to 10 p.m. and would appreciate specific signage about disturbing the peace. As it stands now, resident complaints go nowhere, with park rangers off duty and the police noting the behavior was not a crime.
Composting
Jordan asked if it was possible to add more composting bins to the enclosure at Greenbelt Lake. Robles said that the bins are not necessarily restricted to the enclosure, so adding more containers is possible if there’s room. Salmerón promised an assessment.