City Council Roundup: Feb. 27

At its last regular meeting on Feb. 27, Greenbelt City Council took up issues including a new development agreement on the Greenbelt Station south core and the HVAC system in the community center.

VOTING RECORD
Feb. 27

Consent Agenda — Covering Meeting Minutes, Including Debated Minutes from Jan. 4 and 9: Council voted 7-0 to approve the , along with a Dec. 5, 2011 worksession, and a Feb. 22 interview. Mayor Judith “J” Davis asked to remove the minutes from its last regular meeting on Feb. 13 minutes, without objection. Council voted 7-0 to approve the Feb. 13 minutes with a change.

LEGISLATION

Community Center HVAC System: Staff's written agenda comments to city council . They stated that the center was having problems with air movement, temperature control and has reduced energy efficiency.

On Feb. 13, the council held a first reading on a resolution to negotiate the purchase of an HVAC system evaluation and assessment for the Greenbelt Community Center. Mendoza, Ribas, Farinas & Associates has submitted a proposal for a total cost of $9,660.

Council voted 7-0 to approve the resolution to negotiate the purchase of HVAC system evaluation and assessment for the Greenbelt Community Center from Mendoza, Ribas, Farinas & Associates of Rockville, Md.

Council clarified with city staff that the evaluation would cover the entire community center, including the gym.

OTHER BUSINESS

Revisions to Greenbelt Station South Core Development Agreement: Staff comments said the parties involved in the development had changed since the 2005 development agreement between the city and developers of the Greenbelt Station (north and south cores). This occurred after the downturn in the real estate market, according to the comments. Since Greenbelt Station is now composed of two separate developers, staff comments stated that the best way to revise the development agreement was to replace the 2005 agreement with two new and separate agreements for each core. Staff recommended that council approve a new Greenbelt Station south core development agreement.

Council voted 6-1 in favor of the staff recommendation to approve a new development agreement on the Greenbelt Station south core and to direct staff to prepare appropriate property covenants for approval at a future council meeting. Councilmember Rodney Roberts dissented.

Baltimore-Washington Parkway Feasibility Study: Staff sought council direction since the three public meetings on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway Feasibility Study have concluded.

Council voted 7-0 to table the motion for two weeks until after a public hearing.

STATE LEGISLATION

State Highway Administration (SHA) Signs on Right-of-Way - Permits (SB 360/HB 415): Staff recommended the council oppose SB 360/HB 415.

Temporary Advertising Signs on State Highways (HB 359): Staff recommended the council oppose HB 359.

Council voted 7-0 to express its opposition to SB 360/HB 415 and to HB 359.

Maryland Transportation Financing and Infrastructure Investment Act (SB 971/HB 1302): This legislation would apply the Maryland sales tax to gasoline sales and phase-in the tax over a three year period. Staff recommended council support SB 971/HB 1302.

Council voted 7-0 to defer its vote on HB 359 until its next regular meeting.

Telecommunication Taxes — Reform Commission and Moratorium (HB 563): A bill that establishes the Telecommunications Tax Reform Commission. The commission would assess the feasibility and fiscal implications of a competitively neutral telecommunications tax a fee system that eliminates the disparate treatment of similar telecommunications service providers.

Council decided to defer deliberations on HB 563 until its next meeting.

Community Development Block Grant Application PY38R: Staff agenda comments stated federal budget cuts caused 16.5 percent reductions in PY 37 (FY 2012). Staff applied for $14,390 in PY 38R funds, which was the amount the city’s PY 37 project “Franklin Park Street & Safety Improvements” was reduced. Staff recommended that council approve submission of the PY 38R application and that the mayor be authorized to execute the PY 38R CDBG operating agreement and all other necessary documents in order to accept this grant award.

Council approved staff’s recommendation as part of its consent agenda.

Renewal of City Liquor Licenses: The city received notification from the County Board of License Commissioners that all licenses within the city are up for renewal beginning this spring and the city may offer comments on the licenses. Comments stated that staff recommended council take no position on these renewals.

Council accepted staff’s recommendation in its consent agenda.

Appointment to Advisory Group: Council appointed Matthew Inzeo to the Public Safety Advisory Committee in its consent agenda.