Please join us in a moment of silent reflection as we pause to remember residents and others who have passed away since the last Greenbelt City Council meeting.

And in particular, let's uh

uh

think about uh Elena Marie Brooks, resident Elena Marie Brooks.

Join us in a moment of silent reflection.

Thank you, thank you.

Mayor Portin, will you lead us in the pledge?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation.

Thank you very much.

And let me share this.

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.

So City Council, we meet twice a month, except in July, August, and December to set policy and to take formal actions on behalf of the city.

Tonight's meeting is open to the public, as are all council meetings, except for executive sessions permitted under Maryland law.

We welcome residents who are here in person and joining us on Zoom or watching remotely.

And if you wish to speak and you're here in person, just raise your hand and after being recognized, she can go to the microphone at the podium.

You'll need to state your name and address for the record.

If you are joining on Zoom, you can use the QA feature or raise your virtual hand.

The email address is questions at Greenbelt MD dot gov.

Please, for the public comment, limit your remarks to three minutes during the regular agenda or five minutes during petitions and requests.

Uh for city action and concerns not listed on tonight's agenda.

Speakers may address council for up to five minutes during this petitions and requests section.

So once again, we ask speakers to keep the remarks focused, respectful, and civil so that all residents have an opportunity to be heard.

So at this time, are there any petitions or requests?

Hold

on.

Should I project?

What's commonly referred to as the Laurel Boys and Girls Club.

I spoke as I don't remember anyone else doing so, but I spoke and suggested that I would not necessarily oppose it because there's a logic to this proposal as there would be to uh or when or if uh the proposal to add next what's commonly referred to as a head over apartments should come to council.

But I also made the suggestion that uh uh council should be uh less determined itself to propose annexation of properties uh not currently within the city limits but should engage residents in a discussion of just what and where we might consider uh annexation appropriate there was no response uh I don't expect a response tonight but I'm rising essentially to say again that I think before uh the city pursues annexation of additional properties there should be a uh not necessarily a public hearing not necessarily something that could be referred to as a town hall but there should be a community conversation here in this room with council with residents talking about why it would be in our interest uh to consider annexation of additional properties beyond currently the city limits so I'm making that request again thank

you

thank you thank you

uh are there any other petitions

or requests tonight looking online is there anybody uh waiting to speak

there is a hand raised uh Michael Hartman

okay can we please uh Mr.

Hartman to speak Mr.

Hartman are you there uh yes I am thank you very much we can hear you yeah thank you welcome great um yeah I wish I could be there but I'm still not feeling real well um uh I'm uh standing to you um to say that um uh first I support I see that you have a uh tenant advisory board uh uh pro uh proposition on the agenda and I fully support that but I do not want to take away from or distract from that discussion so once again I'm uh asking the council to put the same amount of time and effort to establishing a diversity equity inclusion and accessibility advisory board and hopefully you will be able to uh uh to do that um at some uh time in the very very near future as I mentioned before I've been asking for this um for over ten years and I really would like to have some serious discussion and consideration of it and that you put the same amount of time and effort into something that rel came up relatively recently and you acted very quickly on it and I applaud you for that until it's supported but I think that a um diversity equity inclusion and accessibility advisory board is also needed uh greatly uh for the the residents of this city uh both residents and the businesses in this city so thank you very much for your consideration well thank you very much uh are there any other petitions or requests hearing none once again uh council receives these comments but does not usually take action during the same meeting and depending on the issue council refers these questions these matters to the city manager city staff or an advisory board or others to uh gather additional information or to possibly uh prepare it so that it can be placed on a work session or future city council agenda so uh thank you so much at this time we're gonna move to the consent agenda are there are any modifications to the consent agenda and if there are none could I please have a motion to adopt the consent agenda as presented so moved is there a second second council member Pompey has seconded there's no discussion all in favor please say aye aye opposed okay the uh motion carries and that's going to bring us to the agenda if there are no modifications to the agenda could I please have a motion to adopt it as presented yeah council council member Pompey add an addition can we please add um to under other business can we make this item 12 to discuss the um cinema October classics funding please okay so uh would you care to make a motion to adopt the agenda as amended yes I move that we adopt the agenda as amended is there a second second council member needles uh really sharp and on the case tonight she is seconded uh all in favor please say aye aye opposed okay that measure carries as well so at this time we're gonna move to the communications uh section of the agenda and we have two formal proclamations tonight the first is an it's an honor to present a proclamation recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month observed from September 15th through October 15th

Council Member Niesel's uh really sharp and on the case tonight.

She is seconded.

Uh all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Okay, that measure carries as well.

So at this time, we're gonna move to the communications uh section of the agenda, and we have two formal proclamations tonight.

The first is an it's an honor to present a proclamation recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month observed from September 15th through October 15th, celebrating the history culture and enduring civic and economic contributions of Hispanic and Latino American Americans to Greenbelt and to our nation.

I'll stand and read the proclamation.

Whereas Americans unite each year to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, honoring the vibrant cultures, proud heritage, and countless contributions of those whose roots trace to indigenous North American, Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, and whereas a 2026 theme, Unidas Somos Maz, Together We Are More, highlights how connection, unity, resilience, and shared contributions make us stronger.

And whereas this observation first declared as Hispanic Heritage Week by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and expanded by President Reagan in 1988, now spans 30 days to ensure a comprehensive celebration of heritage, history, and progress.

And whereas Hispanic Americans, whose individual contributions are too numerous to list, empower our nation as civil rights champions, community organizers, corporate leaders, elected officials, uh, military service members, educators, journalists, first responders, pioneers in the arts and sciences, healthcare professionals, athletes, inventors, and entrepreneurs, as well as countless other essential roles.

And whereas the Hispanic communities continue its legacy of enriching the cultural, educational, and economic and political vitality of the city of Greenbelt through its dedication, resilience, and innovation.

Now, therefore, I am at V.

Jordan by the authority of estimate by the residents and the city council of Greenbelt, hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month, and urge all residents to honor the diversity, accomplishments, and spirit of our Latino community.

Let us celebrate the many ways they strengthen our city and nation and now and into the future.

Thank you so much.

Uh, planned here in Greenbelt uh in October.

You know, Hispanic Heritage Month sort of falls in between September and October, which just spanning two months, it's it's it's more than most uh most other uh entities.

So uh what do we have planned?

It's it's it's sort of a first time that we're we're doing things a little different uh this year.