OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Greenbelt, Maryland/City Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greenbelt City Council Regular Meeting: November 17, 2025

City Council — Monday, November 17, 2025
BodyGreenbelt, Maryland
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, November 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Original source
Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

1:24

I call this meeting

Speaker 2

1:26

of the Greenbelt City.

Speaker 1

1:27

Recording in progress.

Speaker 2

1:30

I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order.

1:32

Madam Clerk, will you call the roll, please?

Speaker 3

1:37

Good evening.

1:39

Councilmember Fritz.

1:41

Present.

1:42

Council Member Niesel.

Speaker 4

1:44

Here.

Speaker 3

1:44

Council Member McKinney.

1:46

Here.

1:46

Council Member Compi.

1:48

Here.

1:49

Councilmember Pope.

1:50

Mayor Pro Tem Weaver.

1:52

Mayor Jordan.

1:54

Here.

Speaker 2

1:56

So this is the uh the first meeting of the new council.

2:01

And it's a it's an auspicious uh night tonight.

2:05

So let's get things started correctly with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

2:10

Uh

Speaker 2

2:11

Mayor Pro Tem, would you like to read the pledge?

Speaker 5

2:16

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

2:23

One nation.

Speaker 1

2:34

Thank you.

2:35

And

Speaker 2

2:35

Councilmember Niesel.

Speaker 6

2:40

Of course.

2:42

The strength of Greenbelt is diverse people living together in a spirit of cooperation.

2:47

We celebrate all people.

2:49

By sharing together, all are enriched.

2:51

We strive to be a respectful, welcoming community that is open, accessible, safe, and fair.

Speaker 2

2:59

Thank you.

3:00

Thank

Unassigned speaker

3:00

you.

Speaker 2

3:01

And of course, I'd like to pause for a moment of silent reflection as we remember several residents and others who have passed away since the last council meeting.

4:15

Anyone else?

4:30

Tonight's session, as is the case with all of our sessions, it's open to the public.

4:37

Accept executive sessions as authorized by state law.

4:41

Residents may observe our deliberations, and we'll pause periodically to provide opportunities for the public to comment.

Unassigned speaker

4:47

If you wish to speak during a designated uh comment period, uh if you're in person, just raise your hand, wait to be recognized after being recognized, you can go to the podium, and you'll need to state your name and uh where where you live for the record.

Speaker 2

5:02

If you're uh on Zoom, you can use the QA feature at the bottom tab of your screen, or you can raise your virtual hand.

5:11

And once again, you would need to state your name and uh the area that you live in.

5:15

Uh, but we do not accept anonymous comment comments.

Unassigned speaker

5:18

And

Speaker 2

5:18

if you're watching remotely, just uh send us an email.

Unassigned speaker

5:21

The

Speaker 2

5:21

email address is questions at greenbeltmd.gov.

5:26

So during the meeting on agenda items, the time limit is uh three minutes, and uh during petitions and requests, which is the next item on the agenda, uh, you've actually got five minutes.

5:41

So I just want to uh uh caution you, ask you uh please uh please be civil and and avoid disparaging uh others and questioning motives.

5:52

We're all neighbors here.

5:53

This is Greenbelt, so let's uh let's do our best.

5:58

So that is in fact going to bring us to item number four, which is petitions and requests.

6:04

Are there any petitions or requests?

6:07

Yes, please.

Speaker 1

6:30

Okay.

Speaker 7

6:30

I should just mention I'm here with Louisa Mike, Nate, more than 40 years of experience in Greenbelt.

6:38

Uh Robbie was sad he couldn't be here tonight, but he's been there for 25 years.

6:42

So, anyways, uh just to continue.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development██████████████14%
Labor Relations█████████████13%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Legislative Monitoring██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Electric Power Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenbelt City Council Regular Meeting: November 17, 2025

On November 17, 2025, the Greenbelt City Council convened at 7:30 PM for a regular meeting. Key topics included public petitions on unionization and cell service, adoption of the Economic Development Strategic Plan, approval of legislative support contracts, appointment of a Charter Review Task Force, and scheduling of collective bargaining discussions. Several items were postponed to the December 8 meeting.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved Advisory Planning Board reports on traffic calming studies (Center City and Hanover Parkway).
  • Accepted Advisory Committee on Education reports approving a grant request and up to $9,994 for emergency food assistance programs.
  • Appointed Nicole Brown to the Advisory Planning Board (Councilmember Fritz abstained on this item).
  • Granted a floating holiday to city employees.
  • Authorized the City Manager to approve computer replacement and equipment purchases.
  • Removed the "Meetings" item from the consent agenda to be added as a later agenda item. The consent agenda was approved 6-0-1 (Fritz abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Trent Leon-Lierman, resident, urged the Council to expedite the charter amendment for Public Works unionization and alleged management intimidation, including threats of layoffs and firing.
  • Susan Smithers, resident, petitioned for a public meeting with all cellular carriers to address poor service and safety, suggesting expert input from NIH or the American Cancer Society.
  • Bill Orleans, resident, supported collective bargaining rights for all city employees and criticized past intimidation.
  • Adam Green, resident and emissary of the Piscataway Indian Nation, requested the Council read and act on the full reparations report submitted to the Assistant City Manager.
  • Nick Lianos, resident, noted the need for additional cell towers in Old Greenbelt, particularly near the elementary school, proposing T-Mobile and other internet options.
  • Michael Hartman, resident, suggested rearranging the council chambers to bring residents closer to the dais.

Discussion Items

  • Update on Collective Bargaining Petition by Public Works Employees (Special Order #11): City Manager Josué Salmerón apologized for reported intimidation, stated he had addressed it with managers, and confirmed a draft charter amendment would be ready shortly. Council members expressed frustration with delays and emphasized urgency. The city manager also discussed ongoing management training and anti-harassment efforts.
  • Approval of the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP): Economic Development Manager John Mason presented the plan, built on over a year of stakeholder engagement, outlining eight strategic components including small business resiliency, connectivity, retail revitalization, and branding. Council praised its accessibility and measurable goals. The plan was adopted unanimously (7-0).
  • Parking Regulations for EV Charging Stations: The Council discussed a draft ordinance to restrict EV charging spaces to actively charging vehicles, with fines proposed to align with state law. First reading scheduled for December 8.
  • Stop Sign Camera RFP Update: Staff reported that a second pilot is underway and an RFP will be issued due to increased market competition. A contract is expected in January.
  • Legislative Support Services Contracts: Council authorized the City Manager to execute contracts with Carrington & Associates for state legislation and LA Perez, LLC for county legislation, at $18,000 each annually (total $36,000). Motion passed 7-0.
  • Approval of 2026 Bond Bill Legislative Priorities: Council approved two projects: Buddy Attick Park Walking Trail and Stage ($300,000) and Schrom Hills Park Athletic Field Lights ($400,000). Motion passed 7-0.
  • Council Liaison Assignments: Council assigned liaisons to all ten advisory committees, with Councilmember Fritz taking the Arts Advisory Board. Motion passed 7-0.
  • Charter Review Task Force Nominations: Council appointed nine resident applicants to the task force, with Councilmembers Fritz and Weaver serving as liaisons. Motion passed 7-0.
  • Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA) Membership Dues: After discussion about the organization's finances and governance, Council voted to table a decision on the $1,800 dues to the December 8 meeting. Motion passed 7-0.
  • Council Letter to PGCPS: Council directed staff to draft a letter to Prince George's County Public Schools requesting better notification of public engagement meetings, following a missed notification about Spring Hill Lake Elementary.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved 6-0-1 (Fritz abstained).
  • Economic Development Strategic Plan adopted unanimously (7-0).
  • Legislative support contracts approved (7-0).
  • 2026 Bond Bill priorities approved (7-0).
  • Council liaison assignments approved (7-0).
  • Charter Review Task Force appointed (7-0).
  • PGCMA dues tabled to December 8 (7-0).
  • Staff directed to draft letter to PGCPS.
  • Draft charter amendment for collective bargaining expected soon; work session to be scheduled.

Meeting Transcript

I call this meeting of the Greenbelt City. Recording in progress. I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, will you call the roll, please? Good evening. Councilmember Fritz. Present. Council Member Niesel. Here. Council Member McKinney. Here. Council Member Compi. Here. Councilmember Pope. Mayor Pro Tem Weaver. Mayor Jordan. Here. So this is the uh the first meeting of the new council. And it's a it's an auspicious uh night tonight. So let's get things started correctly with the Pledge of Allegiance. Uh Mayor Pro Tem, would you like to read the pledge? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation. Thank you. And Councilmember Niesel. Of course. The strength of Greenbelt is diverse people living together in a spirit of cooperation. We celebrate all people. By sharing together, all are enriched. We strive to be a respectful, welcoming community that is open, accessible, safe, and fair. Thank you. Thank you. And of course, I'd like to pause for a moment of silent reflection as we remember several residents and others who have passed away since the last council meeting. Anyone else? Tonight's session, as is the case with all of our sessions, it's open to the public. Accept executive sessions as authorized by state law. Residents may observe our deliberations, and we'll pause periodically to provide opportunities for the public to comment. If you wish to speak during a designated uh comment period, uh if you're in person, just raise your hand, wait to be recognized after being recognized, you can go to the podium, and you'll need to state your name and uh where where you live for the record. If you're uh on Zoom, you can use the QA feature at the bottom tab of your screen, or you can raise your virtual hand. And once again, you would need to state your name and uh the area that you live in. Uh, but we do not accept anonymous comment comments. And if you're watching remotely, just uh send us an email. The email address is questions at greenbeltmd.gov. So during the meeting on agenda items, the time limit is uh three minutes, and uh during petitions and requests, which is the next item on the agenda, uh, you've actually got five minutes.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com