Greenbelt City Council Regular Meeting - December 8, 2025

The Greenbelt City Council held a regular meeting on December 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM, presided over by Mayor Emmett V. Jordan. The council addressed a wide range of agenda items including collective bargaining rights for public works employees, electric vehicle charging station regulations, membership in the Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA), cell service issues, a traffic calming study, and Maryland's new EV charger tax. Numerous votes were taken, including several unanimous decisions.

Consent Calendar

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Report #26-1 (Dog Park at Northway Fields): Council accepted the report.
• Council Meeting Minutes: Approved minutes from October 14, October 27, November 10 (Charter), and November 17, 2025.
• Reappointment to Advisory Board/Committee: Approved reappointment of James Drake to the Advisory Planning Board (APB).
• Council Letter to PGCPS: Approved a draft letter to Prince George's County Public Schools regarding community engagement.
• Authorizing City Manager to Execute a Contract with CPJ for Survey Services: Approved a contract with Charles P. Johnson & Associates, Inc. for metes and bounds descriptions.
• Items F (Fireworks display contract) and G (Natural gas supply renewal) were initially part of the consent agenda but were removed for separate discussion and later approved separately (see Key Outcomes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Hartman (resident) expressed concerns about the environmental and noise impacts of the 2026 Independence Day fireworks display and questioned the city's reliance on fossil fuels, urging a concrete plan for decarbonization.
• Michelle Whitaker (Executive Director, Ranked Choice Voting Maryland) petitioned the council to implement ranked choice voting (RCV) for the 2027 election, providing resources and noting that Greenbelt voters approved Question One by a two-to-one margin in November 2025. She urged action in early 2026.
• Louise Weismann (resident) emphasized the importance of unionization for public works employees and argued for broadest possible charter amendment language (all city employees), recounting her personal and family history with unions.
• Bill Orleans (resident) pointed out a discrepancy between the agenda (mentioning both public works and city employees) and the resolution (only public works employees), urging the council to include all city employees in the collective bargaining amendment.
• Additional speakers during the collective bargaining discussion included a LIUNA organizer (Robbie) who supported the public works amendment but also favored broader language; John Appia Duffel, who cited strong community support for worker rights; Dami, a political organizer, who argued for including all workers; and others advocating for universal coverage.

Discussion Items

• Charter Amendment: Collective Bargaining Rights (item moved to #10): Two options were presented: one granting bargaining rights to Public Works employees only (Exhibit A), and another extending rights to all non-managerial, non-professional city employees (Exhibit B). Council debated the scope. Councilmember Pompi and Fritz supported the broader amendment, citing human rights and efficiency. Mayor Pro Tem Weaver and Councilmember Pope argued for starting with Public Works to avoid legal complications and to move quickly on their request. Councilmember Knesel raised concerns about the broader language potentially delaying progress for Public Works. After public comment, council voted 6–1 to proceed with the first reading of the amendment limited to Public Works employees, with plans for a January 14 work session to discuss expanding rights to all employees.
• Ordinance: Parking Regulations for EV Charging Stations (1st Reading): Introduced to regulate parking in front of municipal building EV charging stations.
• Resolution: EV Charging Fees and Operating Procedures (2nd Reading and Adoption): Adopted to authorize the City Manager to implement fees (initially set at PEPCO network rate of 17 cents/kWh) and adjust as needed to cover costs. Discussion included concerns about cost recovery and comparisons to other chargers.
• PGCMA Membership Dues: Debate centered on budget transparency of PGCMA. Several councilmembers expressed concerns, but Mayor Jordan argued for engagement. Motion passed 6–1, with a friendly amendment to send a letter outlining expectations.
• Cell Phone Service Issues: Council discussed persistent poor service, especially in northern and eastern areas. Scheduled a work session for January 5, 2026 to explore solutions including small cell towers and inviting Verizon.
• Traffic Calming Study: Greenbelt Center City: Planning Director Jaime Fearer presented the study covering 22 projects on five roadways. The study recommends short-term (paint, signage, flex posts) and long-term (capital improvements like speed humps, curb bump-outs, raised crosswalks) measures. Council accepted the study and supported implementation (7–0). Questions raised about accessibility and prioritization.
• Maryland’s $150 EV Charger Tax: Council discussed the new annual fee of $150 per charging port starting January 1, 2026. Council voted 7–0 to direct the legislative contractor to seek parity with gas pump fees ($20) or an exemption for public entities.
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Appointments: Council approved 2026 committee assignments, including appointing Councilmember Fritz to the Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Consent Agenda (as amended): Passed 7–0 (items F and G removed for separate discussion).
• Human Rights Day Proclamation: Declared December 10, 2025 as Human Rights Day in Greenbelt.
• Closed Session Statement (Nov 12, 2025): Approved 7–0.
• Charter Amendment: Collective Bargaining for Public Works Employees – 1st Reading: Approved 6–1 (Councilmember McKinney opposed). The resolution was read into the record. A work session on broader employee rights scheduled for January 14, 2026.
• EV Parking Ordinance – 1st Reading: Introduced.
• EV Charging Fees Resolution – 2nd Reading and Adoption: Approved 7–0.
• PGCMA Membership Dues: Approved 6–1 (Councilmember McKinney opposed), with a letter to express concerns.
• Traffic Calming Study Acceptance: Approved 7–0.
• Maryland EV Charger Tax Response: Approved 7–0, directing legislative contractor to seek parity/exemption.
• COG Appointments: Approved 7–0.
• Fireworks Display Contract: Approved 7–0 for $22,000 with Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts, LLC.
• Natural Gas Supply Renewal: Approved 7–0 at a rate of 58.58 cents per therm.
• Closed Session: The council entered closed session at approximately 10:53 PM for personnel and legal matters, with no return to open session.