Politics & Government

City Council Roundup

City Council held its regular meeting Monday and took up issues ranging from the potential CSX intermodal facility in Beltsville to the community-wide visioning exercise.

At its regular meeting on Monday, Greenbelt City Council took up a bikeshare feasibility study, the WMATA railcar commissioning facility, the CSX intermodal facility, the gateway sign project, the Greenbelt Development Corporation, a visioning exercise, Youth Advisory Committee matters and the appointments of council members and citizens to boards, committees and advisory groups.

Bikeshare Feasibility Study
Greenbelt City Council voted 5-0 at its regular meeting on Monday to authorize the filing of a grant application, noting its commitment for a 20 percent match, with the Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Bikeshare Program. The application is for a bikeshare feasibility study.

City Manager Michael McLaughlin's agenda comments to council on behalf of staff advised them that local jurisdictions are required to demonstrate a commitment to a 20 percent local match on the 80 percent reimbursable funding.

According to City Clerk Cindy Murray, the 20 percent contribution includes in-kind contributions; therefore, time that city staff spends on the study can be counted toward the match.

McLaughlin's staff information did not supply a figure on how much the study would cost. He and staff hoped the study would not exceed $25,000, in which case the city's match would be $5,000. He and staff thought it possible that the study could cost as much as $50,000, in which case, the city's share would be $10,000.

"The cost of the ultimate study would be negotiated when proposals are received, and council would have ultimate authority in approving the final proposal, including cost," according to McLaughlin's agenda comments.

Council Members Leta Mach, Rodney Roberts, Silke Pope, Mayor Judith "J" Davis and Mayor Pro-Tem Emmett Jordan were present for the vote and meeting.

WMATA Railcar Commissioning Facility
Council voted 5-0 to move city staff's recommendation concerning The Washington Metro Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) plans to construct a railcar commissioning facility at the current Greenbelt Service and Inspection Yard.

In June 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration determined that the proposed facility meets Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE) criteria, subsequently neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

McLaughlin's recommendation on behalf of staff for the Railcar Commissioning Facility included the following:

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Staff recommended that city council submit a letter to WMATA that takes no position on the DCE for the proposed facility, but that offers comments on the following points concerning water quality.

• Staff would like to review the erosion and sediment control plan for construction as soon as it is available.
• Staff would like to review the conceptual design and approval for its stormwater management plan as soon as both are available.
• Staff advises WMATA to include pervious surfaces in its design and consider utilizing green roof technology on the roof of the commissioning facility component of the proposed project, and, if possible, attempt LEED certification.

Intermodal CSX
Staff voted 5-0 to send a second letter in opposition to Beltsville becoming the site for the CSX intermodal facility.

Gateway Sign Project
McLaughlin's staff agenda comments to council stated that there was $20,000 in the capital projects budget this fiscal year for the installation of gateway signs. Council voted 5-0 for the city to proceed in getting a new gate sign to replace the sign on Southway and to perform temporary repairs on the existing sign. In addition, council approved the city moving ahead with looking into possibilities for signs at additional locations in Greenbelt.

Greenbelt Development Corporation Letter
The Greenbelt Development Corporation (GCDC) is seeking a formal relationship with the city. Council voted 5-0 to schedule a worksession with GCDC.

Visioning Exercise
Through verbal agreement without taking it to a vote, council decided to schedule a visioning goal-setting session with council and staff, open to the public, on a Saturday afternoon in January, with the date to be determined.

Council also agreed to hold a community-wide visioning exercise later in 2012, potentially in August or early fall.

Referral to Youth Advisory Committee
Council voted 5-0 to ask the Youth Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the council on how it might wish to be an even more active and involved city committee. Council also referred an idea to the committee mentioning the possibility of examining ways to establish a source of young people to do odd jobs, such as raking leaves or shoveling snow.

Council Member Appointments to City Boards and Committees
Council voted 5-0 to approve the following appointments:

Leta Mach — Advisory Committee on Education
Emmett Jordan — Advisory Planning Board
Konrad Herling — Arts Advisory Board
Emmett Jordan — Community Relations Advisory Board
Rodney Roberts — Forest Preserve Advisory Board
Konrad Herling — Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability
Leta Mach — Greenbelt Middle School Task Force
Leta Mach — Park and Recreation Advisory Board
Edward Putens — Public Safety Advisory Committee
Silke Pope — Senior Citizens Advisory Committee
Rodney Roberts — Youth Advisory Committee
Judith "J" Davis — Friends of the Greenbelt Museum Board
Konrad Herling — Greenbelt Access Television Board

Citizen Appointments to Advisory Groups
Council voted 5-0 to approve the following appointments, and added an additional appointment to include Jason Flanagan:

Elsie Waynes — Advisory Committee on Education
Matthew Johnson — Advisory Planning Board
Kathleen Gallagher — Board of Elections
Steven Kane — Greenbelt Middle School Task Force
Paula Clinedinst — Park and Recreation Advisory Board
Donna Blanger-Edwards — 75th Anniversary Committee
Jason Flanagan — Youth Advisory Committee

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