Greenbelt City Council Regular Meeting - July 13, 2026

The Greenbelt City Council held a regular meeting on July 13, 2026, at 7:33 p.m., with Mayor Emmett V. Jordan presiding. Councilmember Silke I. Pope was absent due to travel. The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m. after addressing a full agenda including consent items, legislation, and other business. Key actions included adoption of a labor code amendment, approval of a resolution for negotiated purchases, support for a county zoning text amendment with an MOU caveat, and authorization to apply for a demolition grant for the Greenbelt Armory.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meetings and stakeholders lists.
• Accepted Advisory Planning Board Report #2026-03 on county zoning amendment for private school uses.
• Accepted resignation of Katherine Ross from the Forest Preserve Advisory Board (FPAB).
• Approved minutes from work sessions and regular meetings in June and July 2026.
• Authorized cooperation agreement for CDBG Urban County Qualification (FY 2027-2029).
• Authorized City Manager to execute Axon interview room contract renewal (five-year, $55,200 total; first-year expenditure $9,681).
• Authorized City Manager to execute Year 4 payment of Axon contract ($54,180).
• Authorized purchase of three police vehicles (Ford Explorer Interceptor hybrid, ~$46,000 each, total over $150,000).
• Authorized City Manager to contract with LA Perez for legislative services using the retainer model (Option A).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lore Rosenthal, Michael Hartman, and Bill Orleans, residents, raised questions about consent agenda items, specifically requesting more detailed information on police interview room cameras and vehicle purchases.
• Frank Gervasi and Peter Wojciechowski presented a request to establish a sister city relationship with Voznesensk, Ukraine, highlighting the city's history and current challenges.
• Bill Orleans commented on the labor code amendment, expressing concern that grammatical/typographical changes proposed by Mayor Pro Tem Weaver had not been circulated to the public before adoption. He also argued that the ordinance was too proscriptive in defining exempt and managerial employees, suggesting that collective bargaining should determine unit composition.
• Michael Canavan (51 Ridge), a city employee of six years and resident of 40 years, expressed gratitude for council's support of unionization, stating the city "leads by example and lives its values through actions rather than words."
• Another public works employee (name not given) thanked council, noting that employees with a combined 100 years of experience came out to show support.
• Michael Hartman (Court Gardway) asked for an explanation of the Employee Relations Board's composition and function. Staff clarified it has five members, hears appeals on dismissals, suspensions, and demotions, and reviews personnel policies.
• Laura Rosenthal (Two Court Garden) asked if the Employee Relations Board was the group that censured Mr. Roberts; mayor clarified that the council passed the censure, not the board.
• Frank Gervasi (163 [address]) opposed the Armory demolition grant without a redevelopment plan, stating the building is structurally fixable and that he collected 60 signatures from neighbors to preserve it. He advocated for a New Deal Heritage Center or Museum.

Presentations

• Introduction of Jessica Mailander, Economic Development Manager: City Manager Josué Salmerón introduced Mailander, who previously managed a $10 million small business grant portfolio at DC's Department of Small and Local Business Development and served as a Main Street manager. She emphasized that economic development and sense of place go hand in hand and will focus on business retention, expansion, and revitalization. Councilmember Fritz expressed excitement, noting Greenbelt needs that approach. Salmerón added that Mailander has already been involved in the small business expo and facade improvement grants—six applications totaling nearly $150,000 for Roosevelt Center improvements, half of the $300,000 allocation.

Legislation

• Ordinance Amending City Labor Code (Article VIII) – 2nd Reading and Adoption: Councilmember Pompi introduced the ordinance to modernize collective bargaining procedures and align with NLRB standards. Mayor Pro Tem Weaver proposed minor grammatical and typographical amendments (e.g., gerund form consistency, capitalization, missing lettering). The amendments passed 6-0. Councilmembers Fritz and McKinney thanked staff and public works employees for their advocacy. Fritz noted a concern about strike/lockout language but supported moving forward. The ordinance was adopted 6-0.
• Charter Amendment Resolution for Annexation of Lanham Boys Club (10± acres) – 1st Reading: Councilmember Pompi introduced the resolution to annex contiguous land known as the Lanham Boys Club. No resident referendum or complex service extensions are needed as WSSC and PEPCO already serve the area. The resolution will require proper notice and is expected to return for second reading in August.
• Resolution to Authorize Negotiated Purchases from Vendors (Fiscal Year Totals Exceeding $10,000) – 1st Reading, Suspension of Rules, 2nd Reading and Adoption: Councilmember Pompi introduced and moved for suspension of rules (passed 6-0) and then second reading/adoption (passed 6-0). City Manager Salmerón explained the necessity due to the $10,000 procurement limit (lowest among peer municipalities). He highlighted new vendors including Endur Armor (body armor), API Source (Greenbelt marketing), Apple Ford (police vehicles), BlueWell (EV charging), and others. Councilmember McKinney asked about annual reassessment; Salmerón noted new vendors are highlighted green, showing active recruitment. Councilmember Fritz encouraged support for local, cooperative, and union enterprises. Bill Orleans asked about living wage stipulations; Salmerón confirmed that state and county living wage laws supersede city ordinance, so all contractors must comply.

Other Business

• CB-069-2026: County Zoning Text Amendment Exempting Certain Private School Uses in Residential Zones from Special Exception – Discussion and Letter of Support: Acting Planning Director Jaime Fearer presented background: St. Jerome Institute (SJI), a private Catholic secondary school currently in DC, seeks to relocate to the former St. Hugh's School building on Crescent Road, which has been closed since 2009. The property is zoned Rural Residential, and a special exception would normally be required (minimum 9–12 months, six-figure cost). The county bill would exempt properties that previously operated as a private school and do not abut other residential properties. Fearer noted the county planning board recommended amendments but the bill is moving fast. Council discussed options: supporting with advisory capacity during use and occupancy permits vs. negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SJI. Matthew Tedesco, land use attorney for SJI, advocated for an MOU to provide certainty and avoid permit delays. City Manager Salmerón supported MOU as essential for partnership (e.g., recreational facility access). Councilmember Weaver expressed concern about precedent for other municipalities. Mayor Jordan moved to send a support letter to county council's PHED committee with a caveat that an MOU be negotiated addressing traffic, parking, recreation, and other items. The motion passed 6-0. Donouin (SJI board member) thanked council and emphasized SJI's commitment to Prince George's County, noting 70 current students, max 130, and that the building was built as a school.
• DHCD Strategic Demolition Fund Grant Application: Greenbelt Armory: City Manager Salmerón reported that the Armory building has significant structural, environmental, and mechanical deficiencies. All three concept plans presented earlier include demolition. Staff requested authorization to apply for a state DHCD grant (competitive, likely multi-year) to demolish the main building and adjacent modular building, keeping garages intact. Councilmember Weaver moved to authorize the City Manager to proceed with the grant application and demolition. Councilmember McKinney opposed, citing lack of public engagement and shock to residents. Councilmember Knesel noted demolition was implied in all options and funding is essential. Motion passed 5-1, with McKinney opposed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 6-0 as amended (legislative services contract changed to retainer model).
• Labor code ordinance adopted 6-0 with minor amendments.
• Annexation resolution introduced for first reading; will return after proper notice.
• Negotiated purchases resolution adopted 6-0 after suspension of rules.
• Support letter for CB-069-2026 approved 6-0 with direction to negotiate an MOU with St. Jerome Institute.
• Armory demolition grant application authorized 5-1 (McKinney opposed).
• Items tabled until August 10 meeting: Request for Letter of Support for Maryland State Arts Council, Greenbelt Skate Park Mural Project contract authorization, and discussion on City Council Sub-committee Working Groups.
• Closed session statements approved: June 29, 2026 (personnel, real estate, litigation) and July 1, 2026 (personnel). Note: The transcript for the July 1 closed session incorrectly states the date as July 29, 2026, contradicting the agenda and minutes which correctly list July 1.
• Meeting extended briefly for the Armory item but not for other items; Councilmember Pompi left at 9:30 p.m.