MAY 18, 2006 City Council to Consider List of Changes to 2007 Budget by Thomas X
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GREENBELT News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper VOL. 69, No. 26 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 MAY 18, 2006 City Council to Consider List Of Changes to 2007 Budget by Thomas X. White The Greenbelt City Council the list no decision will be made will be completing its review of until all listed items are discussed the city manager’s proposed Fis- and considered at the fi nal budget cal Year 2007 budget over the worksession (May 17 for this next three weeks, with plans to year’s cycle). adopt an approved FY07 budget This informal system has for city operations at council’s worked effectively to defer ad regular meeting on June 5. By hoc changes on the fly during that time council will have con- the budget review cycle but, at PHOTO PHOTO BY BEVERLY PALAU ducted 10 scheduled workses- the same time, it has turned the Proud parents, teachers, ACE members and public offi cials all crowd into the picture with the ACE sions and two public hearings to “fi nal budget worksession” into Student Award winners at the May 8 ceremony. receive detailed information by something of a bazaar, with a staff on the proposed budget and hodgepodge of items and issues its effect on all city departments of varying impact put into “play” and to hear citizen feedback on as council approaches the final ACE Honors Outstanding Students proposed expenditures and tax stages of review of the proposed impacts for the proposed budget budget. One measure of the by Mary Moien verse groups of his peers. He skills make her an excellent role plan. importance of this final budget really shines when given the op- model and group leader. She For the first time in several worksession is a tradition to pro- There is always a standing- portunity to engage in hands-on demonstrates a sincere interest years, the city manager has pro- vide snack food for attendees. room only crowd at the city projects and experiments. in her peers and their successes. posed no increase in the city’s This year is no exception and council meeting when the ACE Erin Weeks is a responsible, She has a genuinely caring per- property tax rates to fund the heading into the May 17 final Student Awards are made. This dedicated 6th grader at Greenbelt sonality that makes her a good new budget, but that may change, worksession, the city manager year’s ceremony on May 8 was Elementary School. She partici- friend to all. based on council’s review and on has provided FY07 Budget Up- no exception. Parents, brothers pates in the honors chorus, is the Eric Dorsey, Jr., is a very various update items that have date #3, as the framework for and sisters, grandparents, teach- anchor on the morning news team sensitive and caring 6th grade been assiduously tabulated by council’s deliberations and deci- ers and even a principal or two and was elected by her classmates student at Magnolia Elementary staff during the nearly two-month sion-making that evening prior to fi lled the council chambers to the to represent them on the school’s School. He initiated the school review period. fi nal adoption of the budget. rafters. Greenbelt Advisory Board. After safety poster contest. He is a The council budget review Revenues The ACE Student Awards were school she helps teachers hang member of the school patrol, for process that has developed over Update #3 offers a net of inaugurated in 1996, making this art on the walls, grade papers and which he executes his duties with the years is an informal system $100,800 as a possible addi- the 11th annual ceremony. The straighten classrooms. pride. His dependability, kind- of keeping track of selected tion to FY07 revenues. It in- awards recognize Greenbelt youth Owen Brown, a 5th grader ness and caring nature endear items that arise during the bud- cludes changes staff determined who honor its traditions of citi- at Springhill Lake Elementary him to staff and students alike. get review sessions that would after preparing the budget. The zenship, maturity and academic School, is both a model student Chantel Jones is a very de- have either a negative or posi- changes impact both the current achievement. These students and a leader. He has earned ei- pendable 6th grader at Magnolia tive impact on the manager’s year operations and the proposed were nominated by their teachers ther distinguished honors or honor Elementary School. Her fi ne atti- proposed budget. The city man- budget. For example, $45,000 and principals. roll every quarter. His leadership tude and spirit of cooperation are ager and his staff maintain a list represents a reinstatement of a Selections from the nomina- qualities are evident in his will- refl ected in her excellent work. of these potential changes and special grant of Highway User tions of each student are sum- ingness to lend a hand within the She is recognized by staff and provide council with periodic Revenue (HUR) funds that the marized below. classroom and the community students alike as being fair and updates as the budget review city will receive this fi scal year. Elementary and his calm manner serves as a knowing how to defuse situations proceeds. A re-estimation of other expect- Joshua Ntoko is a 6th grader guide for fellow classmates. that may occur. She has great Items that make it into these ed HUR funds to be received at Greenbelt Elementary School. Melissa Benjamin is an amaz- concern for others and a willing- updates are based upon new this year provides an additional Josh has a gentle spirit. He ing 5th grade student at Spring- ness to give of herself without revenue information that staff $35,000. is kind and thoughtful to both hill Lake Elementary School and being asked. learns after budget preparation, However, Fiscal Year 2006 adults and children of all ages, a natural leader. Her love of expenditure additions or dele- revenue is reduced by a $5,000 and he moves easily among di- reading and good organizational See ACE, page 9 tions coming out of worksessions commitment to improve the and policy options arising during Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Depart- the review that may have budget ment and Rescue Squad park- SHL Recreation and Education impacts. ing lot. In FY07 $25,800 is In prior years an item was added by a better estimate for placed on the list when a major- HUR funds (from $710,000 to Dominates City Council Meeting ity of council agreed to consider $735,800) expected to be re- the item. However, it now ap- ceived next year. The $100,800 by A. Neil Deo pears that one member of council improvement in revenue for the can place an item on the list. Discussion of the application great job!” ongoing impact long after the While any item can be placed on See BUDGET, page 8 for redevelopment of Springhill Greenbelt has received a refer- current players depart the scene Lake was left to the end of the ral from the Maryland-National are education and recreation. May 8 Greenbelt City Coun- Capital Park and Planning Com- AIMCO proposes to tear down cil meeting. Council had set mission for the Preliminary Plan the SHL Elementary School but aside time at the beginning of of Subdivision for Springhill pay only $20 million toward a the meeting to recognize out- Lake. According to subdivision new site and construction of a Post Offi ce to Move standing students at Greenbelt regulations, the Prince George’s new building. Councilmembers The Greenbelt Post Offi ce will move to its new facility on schools but education and recre- County Planning Board must act estimated the projected costs of Ora Glen Drive over the Memorial Day weekend. The old ation were major themes all night on the preliminary plan by June replacing that school to be thrice post offi ce in Roosevelt Center will be closed permanently at long. Discussion of these topics 8. It was to be reviewed by the what AIMCO is offering. There the end of business hours on Saturday, May 27. Postal of- hindered talk on redevelopment city’s Advisory Planning Board is no guarantee either that alter- fi cials say they will be open for business in the new building plans by AIMCO (Apartment In- on May 17 and is scheduled for native land, some 10 to 15 acres, Tuesday morning, May 30. vestment Management Company) review and action by the council can be located. for Springhill Lake. on May 22. The other issue is the city’s If the city supports AIMCO’s When the SHL application concern for perceived inadequate application, it is likely to do comes before the county planning recreation facilities. It was con- so with reservations and condi- board later this month, the city tended that such facilities directly What Goes On tions. This is perhaps why the may not make a positive recom- impact on the quality of life Monday, May 22 few Greenbelters who sacrifi ced mendation. This was the tenor at SHL and in Greenbelt as a 8 p.m., Regular City Council Meeting and Public Hearing on the sleep for Monday night’s late of comments from at least four whole, because crime is seen to Budget, Municipal Building meeting had no public comments of five councilmembers during be connected with high-density Thursday, May 25 other than to respond to Mayor the discussions that began at 9:50 developments and a low quality 7:30 p.m., GDC and GHI Board Meeting, GHI Board Room Judith Davis’ urgings for input p.m.