On July 13, the Greenbelt City Council voted unanimously to extend collective bargaining rights to a wide array of the city’s employees, closing out months of discussion that began when a group of Public Works employees petitioned council in September 2025.
Council also discussed a grant proposal to fund services that would evaluate the three alternatives for the armory: all three options would raze all the buildings except the garages.
Discussion of a zoning request by St. Jerome Institute to operate out of the former St. Hugh’s School building is reported separately in a story on p. 7.
Amending Labor Code
In approving collective bargaining rights, “[the council was] intentional … [in] making sure this amendment will apply to as many employees in the city as it can,” said Councilmember Jenni Pompi, before the council vote; applause followed the vote.
Councilmember Frankie Fritz thanked Pompi for taking leadership on this legislation, and Greenbelt’s Public Works employees for initiating the reform. “Thank you to the workers,” said Fritz, “for actually stepping up and saying that you want to be stakeholders with a voice in this city. That you care enough about this job to stand up and say we deserve our rights and see these rights formalized.”
Note of Dissent
Fritz voted yes after stating that he nonetheless disagreed with the part of the legislation that bans strikes, saying, “The best way to prevent a strike is to bargain in good faith with your workforce.”
Resident Views
At the meeting, Greenbelt resident Michael Canavan — one of the Public Works employees who petitioned council in September — made a comment in support of the law. “We are so happy to have the support to form a union, and that you have given us a process with which to do so,” he said. “As a resident, as an employee, this is a wonderful thing to see.”
Resident Bill Orleans expressed dissent, criticizing the law for enshrining collective bargaining rights for only some of the city employees. “The organization chosen by … employees when they’re certified in negotiation should have the opportunity to negotiate with management as to who should be in the bargaining unit.”
Orleans’ comment referred to employees who have managerial or confidential roles, who are excluded from collective bargaining by their role. To count as “confidential,” an employee must either be involved in — or have knowledge of — the city’s “development of labor relations strategy or collective bargaining positions,” or they are someone who has influence over personnel decisions like hiring or firing. Employees also count as “confidential” if they either have consistent access to personnel information or sit in on certain meetings run by the city’s manager or financial director.
Economic Development
Jessica Mailander introduced herself as the city’s new director of economic development, stressing her experience in the field. She commented that the sense of place in Greenbelt and its development would go “hand in hand.” She spoke of her recent attendance at the city’s Business Expo on only her fourth day on the job.
Armory Demolition
Council has developed three plans for the Armory, purchased in 2024 for $1. All three options call for demolition of the building and council was requested to support the submission of grant proposals to analyze these options. Councilmembers agreed that the demolition would come as a surprise to many Greenbelters.
Resident Anguish
Longtime Greenbelt resident Frank Gervasi spoke of the petition he had begun, which already had 60 signatures. It opposes the demolition of what he referred to as a “beautiful building.” He characterized council’s three proposals as being “deficient” in any plan to use the site. He felt, “having been in construction his whole life,” that the building was “real fixable” and wondered why council had acquired it merely to have it destroyed. Gervasi said that developers prefer to demolish and build anew because they make more money that way and recommended the preservation of the building and its use as a New Deal Museum.
Mayor Emmett Jordan agreed it was beautiful but disagreed on its fixability. The motion to apply for grants was passed, with Councilmember Danielle McKinney opposed.
Contracts Approved
City Manager Josué Salmerón noted that some contracts are multiyear contracts approved year to year. One is a new five-year contract for synchronized recording of police department interviews and body cameras/audio (brought up earlier in the meeting by residents).
A second vote approved year four of a contract for cameras in police cars (implemented prior to Salmerón’s employment). The third item replaces police cars. Of 15 vehicles requested, three Ford Interceptor hybrids costing approximately $50,000 each will be purchased. All contracts were approved.
Other Activities
Salmerón explained that the return of county career firefighter personnel (a promise not yet fulfilled) would require firehouse updates, a city responsibility for which a list is in preparation.
The city is supporting access and traffic flow needs during Springhill Lake Elementary’s two-year relocation to the Dora Kennedy building while the new school is built. Demolition of the decommissioned building has begun.
Jordan congratulated Salmerón and city employees on a successful July 4 celebration despite the high temperatures and threat of torrential rain.
Purchasing Limits
For purchases exceeding $10,000 in a year, the city must get contractor bids and sometimes, while no one purchase from a vendor is this high, multiple small purchases eventually exceed the threshold. Salmerón sought permission to negotiate such small purchases even if the addition takes the total over $10,000 and, in response to Jordan, noted they use local vendors when possible, but not, for example, for Microsoft products sourced directly.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Meeting Ends Per Rules
Ninety minutes into the meeting, Councilmember Kristen Weaver proposed a 30-minute extension to 10 p.m. per new meeting rules, but Pompi objected, saying she had a hard stop that had been communicated to council and noting that only one remaining item was time sensitive.
Weaver concurred and withdrew the motion, instead re-
ordering the agenda.
