Greenbelt City Council Regular Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Greenbelt City Council held a regular meeting on April 27, 2026, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:58 p.m. The meeting included proclamations, a public hearing on the FY2027 budget, a final presentation on the Community Flood Resiliency Plan, discussions on a charter amendment for collective bargaining, a resolution to create a grant matching fund, a council planning framework, budget reallocation proposals, and reaffirmation of support for BARC. The council voted on several items, including tabling the collective bargaining charter amendment and empowering CARES to form a 501(c)(3) organization.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 7-0: Minutes of the Regular Meeting (June 2, 2025), Work Sessions (March 25, 2026; April 8, 2026), and Special Meeting (April 8, 2026).
• Approved: Meeting list and committee reports (none submitted).
• Reappointments: Nathan Gerdes to the Community Relations Advisory Board (CRAB); John Lippert to the Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (Green ACES); Leon Schachter to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee (SCAC). Note: The agenda also listed Betty Timer for SCAC, but the minutes only reflect Leon Schachter’s reappointment.
• Approved: Authorization for the City Manager to approve contracts with T-Mobile for fleetwide telematics, Citylogix for pavement assessment and software, replacement mowing equipment, 2026 tree health services, and Motorola Solutions for police department services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Orleans (resident) requested clarification on consent agenda items (e) and (f) regarding the Geotab telematics system and the road assessment contract. The City Manager explained the systems would replace current services and enable digital data collection.
• Bob Rand (19 Ridge Road) commended staff for the budget but urged that forward-thinking and DEI principles be more explicitly reflected in departmental issues and services. He suggested using the word “fair” as in the Greenbelt Community Pledge.
• Bill Orleans requested that changes from the original draft budget be made available in print at work sessions, not just online. The City Manager noted that updates are posted on the city website and summarized in the Greenbelt News Review.
• Michael Hartman (Court Garden Way) raised concerns about additional programs ending at Green Ridge House (e.g., Visiting Angels). Dr. Liz Park clarified that those services are funded separately through a Department of Aging grant and are expected to continue.
• Bill Orleans expressed general reservations about pursuing private foundation grants via a 501(c)(3), arguing the city should rely on appropriate commercial taxation to fund services.

Presentations

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation: Mayor Jordan proclaimed May 2026 as AAPI Heritage Month with the theme “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.” Councilmember Fritz (the first council member of Asian descent) spoke about the importance of unity and ongoing work for inclusion.
• Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Proclamation: Mayor Jordan proclaimed April 2026 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. Councilmember Weaver highlighted the Greenbelt Guardian volunteer registry, and Councilmember McKinney noted the state’s Eric’s Law butterfly indicator on driver’s licenses. The City Manager mentioned the city’s award-winning inclusive summer camp program.
• National Poetry Month Proclamation: Mayor Jordan proclaimed April 2026 as National Poetry Month with the theme “Poetry & Creative Mind.” Effie Levner (founder of Poetry in the Garden) described the group’s free, inclusive monthly meetings. Stanie Sesay read her poem “Alternate Worlds for the Couple on the G12 Bus in Matching Outfits.”
• Public Hearing – FY2027 Proposed Budget: Mayor Jordan opened the hearing (first of two; second on May 11, 2026). The budget is scheduled for adoption on May 26, 2026. Public comments were received (see above).
• LimnoTech Final Presentation – Community Flood Resiliency Plan: Brad Udvardy and Anouk Savineau presented the final report, comparing gray and green infrastructure options, identifying flood-prone areas in central Greenbelt, and recommending non-structural measures (e.g., enhanced storm drain maintenance, public education). Council discussed calibration needs, a local rain gauge, potential Indian Creek channel failure, partnerships with GHI and HOAs, and incentives for private green infrastructure. Council voted 7-0 to accept the Community Flood Resiliency Plan.

Discussion Items

• Collective Bargaining Charter Amendment (1st Reading): A proposed charter amendment to establish collective bargaining rights for eligible non-exempt, non-managerial city employees. Councilmember Pompi objected to last-minute changes to the resolution language submitted two hours before the meeting. After discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Weaver moved to table the item to the May 11 meeting and to discuss language at the April 29 work session. Motion passed 7-0.
• Resolution Creating a Grant Matching Fund (1st Reading): Councilmember Pompi introduced the resolution to establish a restricted Matching Grant Fund (initially $750,000) for grant match and reimbursable expenses. The resolution will be on the May 11 agenda for second reading.
• Council Planning Framework: Councilmember McKinney presented a strategic planning framework to guide budget planning, organized around pillars, goals, and priority areas. Council discussed incorporating final comments and aiming for a vote on May 11. The meeting was extended to 10:00 p.m. to allow further discussion.
• Proposed FY2027 Budget – CARES Program Funding: Councilmember Pompi proposed reallocating $132,000 from various city budgets (e.g., eliminating the Greenbelt Ease Recycling Center, holding a DEI position vacant, reducing council professional services, adjusting special programs) to sustain CARES community health programs for one year and support 501(c)(3) formation. No vote was taken on the reallocation; it will be considered during final budget reconciliation.
• 501(c)(3) for CARES: Council voted to empower CARES to create and establish a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Motion passed 7-0.
• Topical Working Group for 501(c)(3): Councilmember Pompi moved to create a working group of Councilmembers Pompi, McKinney, and Mayor Pro Tem Weaver to support the 501(c)(3) process. Motion passed 5-2 (Mayor Jordan and Councilmember Pope opposed).
• BARC Support Reaffirmation: Council discussed sending a revised letter to the USDA administrator and issuing a public statement reiterating concerns about the USDA reorganization plan and the importance of retaining research jobs at BARC. Motion to approve the letter and public statement passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
• LimnoTech Flood Resiliency Plan accepted 7-0.
• Collective Bargaining Charter Amendment tabled to May 11 meeting 7-0.
• Grant Matching Fund Resolution introduced for first reading; second reading on May 11.
• Council Planning Framework to be voted on May 11 after incorporating final comments.
• CARES 501(c)(3) formation approved 7-0.
• Topical Working Group for 501(c)(3) established 5-2.
• BARC Support reaffirmed with revised letter and public statement 7-0.
• Next meetings: Work session on April 29 (public safety discussion and collective bargaining language); Regular meeting on May 11 (second public hearing on budget, second reading of grant matching fund, potential vote on planning framework and charter amendment); Budget adoption scheduled for May 26.