Politics & Government
City Council's 2012 Legislative Program
Greenbelt City Council will go over its legislative program for 2012 with state and county public officials at a dinner Wednesday.
Greenbelt City Council holds its annual legislative dinner with the city's state delegation and county council representatives on Wednesday night at the Greenbelt Marriott at 6 p.m.
Council will outline the city's top legislative priorities, presenting its legislative program for 2012, which it discussed and amended during its last regular meeting on Nov. 28.
CITY OF GREENBELT 2012 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM SUMMARY
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
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Joint State/County Issues:
1) PROTECT MUNICIPAL FUNDING SOURCES
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Protect municipal funding sources including: Highway User revenues, Police Aid, Youth Service Bureau funding, Program Open Space allocations, Income Tax revenue, M-NCPPC grants, School Resource Officer contribution, CDBG funding and Landfill Disposal Rebate.
2) GREENBELT MIDDLE SCHOOL FUNDING
Maintain/increase funding available for renovation of the historic Greenbelt Middle School.
3) TRANSIT SERVICE ISSUES
- Provide adequate WMATA funding.
- Increase funds to allow for more weekend and evening service.
- Reprioritize State transportation funding (more transit - less highway construction).
State Issues:
1) REVISE NOISE BARRIER POLICY
Modify State policies to allow noise barriers along the Beltway for any community that meets certain noise or traffic levels and provide additional funding for these barriers.
2) ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
- Discourage/Prohibit the use of plastic shopping (grocery) bags. (PG 402-12)
- Encourage/Require alternative energy options (i.e. CNG, charging stations).
- Create a container deposit program.
3) ETHICS LEGISLATION
Enact reasonable modifications to State Ethics legislation to address municipal concerns.
County Issues:
1) REESTABLISH LANDLORD TENANT COMMISSION
Restore the Landlord-Tenant Commission to resolve landlord tenant complaints and provide a resource for renters to address these issues.
2) NEW GREENBELT FIRE STATION
Continue to pursue funding for land acquisition and construction of a new Greenbelt Fire Station.
3) COMMERCIAL KITCHEN USAGE
Change requirements regarding a catering firm’s ability to rent a commercial kitchen within a government owned facility.
ALERT ITEMS
- Update on State & County Financial Situation
- CSX Intermodal Transfer Facility Proposal
OTHER ISSUES OF CITY INTEREST
- Full Planning & Zoning Authority for Municipalities (PG 411-12)
- Oppose Kenilworth Avenue (MD 201) Extension/Expansion
- Support Purple Line
- Funding for Greenbelt Lake Dredging
- Prohibit Transfer of Gas Station Liquor Licenses
- Repair of Beaver Dam Road (New 2012)
- Concern about Pawn and Estate Sale Shops
- Explore Direction of Local Bus (the Bus) Funding to City instead of County
- Repeal Electric Utility Authority to Raise Rates when Decreased Usage is caused by Outages (New 2012)
- Full Funding of Bridge to Excellence (Thornton)
- Increased Penalties for Red Light Camera Violations (assess points, remove license)
- Apartment Assessment Inequities
- Require Art for New Development
- Funding for Schools to Clear Snow from Sidewalks
- Municipal Electric Aggregation
MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
- Fully Restore Municipal Highway User Revenues
- Replenish Police Aid
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