Greenbelt City Council Regular Meeting – October 26, 2026

The Greenbelt City Council held its regular meeting on October 26, 2026, at 7:30 PM. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, public comments, two ceremonial proclamations, administrative reports, second reading and adoption of two resolutions, discussion of a community visioning working group, a draft RFP for equity consulting, and a brief follow-up on the Save-As-You-Throw program. The meeting was extended by 15 minutes to accommodate the agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from August 31, 2026 work session and September 14, 2026 regular meeting.
• Approved meeting and stakeholders lists.
• Accepted no committee reports.
• Appointed seven individuals to advisory boards/committees: Joseph Lomacx and Anne Salemme (Advisory Committee on Trees), Courtney Koivisto and Sara Taylor (Arts Advisory Board), Emily Frias and Jeff VanCollins (Employee Relations Board), Elizabeth Schechter (Ethics Commission). Amira Bridges was added by unanimous consent to the Arts Advisory Board after meeting qualifications.
• Reappointed Abel Aworbit and Mary Wade to the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.
• Accepted resignation of Carol Shaw from the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee with regret.
• Accepted Council Legislative Priorities and Bond Bills Projects response overview.
• Authorized City Manager to purchase replacement engine and parts for street sweeper from Mid-Atlantic Truck & Equipment not to exceed $16,054.52 from account 445.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Karen Bogoski (9 Court Southway) – Teacher at Roosevelt High School. She introduced an initiative to create a robotics center in Greenbelt, with a long-term goal of a STEAM innovation hub for Prince George's County. She has secured space at Beltway Plaza and formed a 501c3 board. She requested council awareness, potential funding support, and consideration of using public space required from the mall as part of the apartment development contract. Councilmembers expressed support and suggested applying for city recognition group status.
• Michael Hartman (2 Court Garden Way) – Requested council revisit providing an additional $25,000 to Greenbelt Cinema, referencing a strategic plan presentation on October 24, 2026.
• Robert Jenner (Riverdale Heights) – Suggested planting trees on median strips on Greenbelt Road, especially near Beltway Plaza, and urged the city to consider taking over median maintenance from the state.
• Michael Hartman (later during working group discussion) – Emphasized that working group composition should include business representatives, nonprofits, cooperatives, and advisory boards, and that meetings should be public with published agendas and minutes.
• Robert Goldberg-Strassler – Questioned whether an MOU with PGCPS for the middle school property was ever obtained. City Manager noted leadership transitions had stalled that process.
• Bill Orleans – Opposed any council subcommittees less than a quorum, arguing deliberations should be public. Asked that any such groups have open meetings, published agendas, and minutes.
• Michael Hartman (on DEI RFP) – Stressed the consultant must have expertise in ADA compliance and accessibility. Recommended workforce demographics include all groups (e.g., Native Americans, Alaskan Natives) and self-identified disability and LGBT status. Proposed accountability and remediation measures for non-performance. Suggested the program name include “accessibility.”
• Bob Rand (online) – Urged the DEI RFP to include a review of the city’s previous DEI efforts and the departure of the former DEI officer, warning that the same power dynamics could undermine future efforts.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations – Mayor Jordan presented proclamations for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Councilmembers shared personal stories about breast cancer and emphasized the importance of screenings, metastatic breast cancer research, and inclusive employment.
• Administrative Reports – City Manager Samarone reported on:
  • AI initiatives (Copilot rollout, demo with Prophecy AI, policy development).
  • Grant awards: $231,000 CDBG for Cherrywood Lane resurfacing; $328,000 for police radio encryption upgrades.
  • Legislative priorities (ranked via SharePoint ranked-choice voting): 1) Data center guard rail legislation, 2) Municipal zoning authority, 3) Municipal fiscal capacity, 4) Restore MD 193 in state transportation plan, 5) Just cause eviction/tenant rights, 6) Juvenile justice funding, 7) Plastic bottle ban.
  • Bond bill projects: 1) PEPCO street light upgrade, 2) City wayfinding, 3) Indian Creek Park construction, 4) Armory demolition, 5) McDonald's field improvements. Staff will vet with delegates.
  • FAMLI update: City signed up for state plan after MML, Legit, and Benacon withdrew. Councilmember Niesel expressed preference for state plan due to larger risk pool; Councilmember McKinney requested broader staff input. Staff noted city already offers robust leave benefits.
  • Bradford Pear Replacement Plan Phase 4: 33 trees to be removed on Southway and Ivy Lane; work starts later in the week. City manager noted 10-year replacement plan due to cost (~$1M).
• Resolution 2140 – Community Pledge – Second reading and adoption. Councilmember Fritz moved adoption. Resolution repealed and reenacted the City Community Pledge with updated language emphasizing inclusive, accessible, equitable, and safe community. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution 2141 – Springhill Lake Elementary Property – Second reading and adoption. Resolution affirmed city’s desire to acquire the historic property (formerly Greenbelt High School) when decommissioned by PGCPS. Council debated timing and costs. Mayor Jordan and Councilmember Poe opposed, citing premature commitment and financial risks. Passed 5-2.
• Community Visioning and Public Development Working Group – Mayor Pro Tem Weaver proposed a time-limited working group for community visioning and public development. Mayor Jordan offered a counter-proposal emphasizing economic development. After discussion, Weaver amended her motion to rename the group “Community Visioning and Public Engagement Working Group,” removing specific implementation details. The amended motion passed (6-1? Not clear from transcript; aye vote carried). The group will focus on broad visioning, engaging residents, and will include appropriate staff, advisory committees, and outside experts.
• Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Consulting RFP – Council reviewed draft scope of services for Phase 3 implementation of DEI work. Councilmember Fritz suggested adding an outward-facing component to measure equitable service delivery. Councilmember McKinney noted the need to include Phase 2 audit in scope. City Manager confirmed staff will incorporate edits and release the RFP, with a plan to bring top candidates to council for presentations.
• Save-As-You-Throw (SAYT) Program – Councilmember Niesel stated her questions about the base rate (dropped to $240, placing burden on families) were not addressed in the packet. City Manager noted he had developed four additional financial models but they were not included. Further discussion postponed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda adopted as amended (adding Amira Bridges).
• Agenda adopted.
• Proclamations presented.
• Resolution 2140 (Community Pledge) adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution 2141 (Springhill Lake Elementary property) adopted 5-2 (Mayor Jordan and Councilmember Poe opposed).
• Motion to establish a Community Visioning and Public Engagement Working Group (amended from Weaver’s original proposal) passed.
• Staff directed to finalize and release DEI consulting RFP with edits, and to bring finalists to council for selection.
• Meeting extended by 15 minutes to complete agenda.