Politics & Government

City Council Round-Up: Feb. 28

A look back at what happened at Monday night's city council meeting.

The City of Greenbelt council met Monday night to meet the Greenbelt representative for the Prince George’s County Assistant State’s Attorney and also to look at state legislation.

Renee Battle-Brooks began the meeting with a presentation of herself as the new Greenbelt representative for the Prince George’s County Assistant State’s Attorney.  Brooks has been in the office for 11 years, but is new as a Greenbelt representative. She shared with the council, an interest in working with middle school students on several issues like; sexting, bullying, dating and gangs. She said, “It’s time to catch the attention before it goes to the high schools.” Brooks is also pushing a program called Speak Up, which encourages citizens to “speak up” when they see a crime happening.

Also in the beginning of the meeting, City Attorney Robert Manzi was honored with the presentation of a pin from Mayor J. Davis for serving the city council for the past 25 years.

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Council had the first reading of an item to pay Adirondack Tree Experts of Beltsville for their services in clearing storm-damaged trees. The cost of the services exceeded $10,000 and was adopted for a second reading at the next meeting.

The Greenbelt Soccer Alliance was present asking for Recognition Group status from the Park Recreation Department. The Department wanted the group to go through a trial period for a year before status is granted. The status would allow the Alliance to apply for a permit to practice at Mandan Park. The final decision was that the Alliance would receive Recognition Group status for fiscal year 2012.

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Council approved the purchase of eight replacement police vehicles from Criswell Chevrolet. The police wanted to buy seven replacement passenger cars and one replacement SUV for the K-9 unit.

The council also supported several pieces of legislation:

  • HB 363 – This bill makes it a crime (misdemeanor) for a person to cause the death of another person due to negligent operation of a vehicle.
  • HB 906- This bill sets new standards for highway lighting, for example only providing highway lighting installation if there is no other way to address safety concerns like using reflectors or pavement markings.
  • HB 631 – This bill makes a grantee in a foreclosure sale jointly liable of condominium and homeowner association feeds for up to six months with the unit owner.
  • HB 1246 – This bill establishes a lien priority of condominium and homeowner fees for up to six months.
  • HB 644/SB 671 – This bill would allow any authorized agent (police officer, City employee or contract employee) trained in speed camera enforcement to issue speed camera violations.
  • HB 987 – This bill would repeal provisions that prevent counties or municipalities from acting as aggregators on behalf of their residents.

The next city council meeting will be March 14 at 8 p.m. in council chambers in the Greenbelt Municipal Building.


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