GREENBELT News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper VOL. 73, No. 12 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 FEBRUARY 11, 2010 Aquatic & Fitness Center Snow Crew Mostly Keeps Up HVAC Upgrade Is Planned With Almost Record Snow Fall by Thomas X. White by James Giese The agenda for the Greenbelt these firms were invited to sub- City Council meeting on Monday, mit proposals for the replacement “This has been pretty phe- February 8, which was cancelled work. Each firm has submitted nomenal! A snow event like by the “snowmageddon,” had three options for the purchase, this happens only about once included a proposed resolution to installation and associated de- every 20 years. I’ve been listen- negotiate a $550,000 design and sign/engineering necessary for ing to the weather reports and installation purchase contract for the job. now more is coming.” These the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Each of the three options was were Greenbelt Mayor pro tem The funds were for the replace- designed for varying capacities Emmett Jordan’s first observa- ment of PoolPak dehumidification for two PoolPak models and two tions about the February 5 and units that service the indoor pool Heat Exhaust/Energy Recovery 6 snow event that brought an and heat exhaust/energy recov- units. The bids ranged from estimated 24 inches of snow to ery units that service the locker $517,000 for the SWHP 140 Pool Greenbelt and the Washington rooms. Pak model to $789,630 for the Metropolitan area. “My hat’s off The existing units, part of the SWHP 260 model. to Mike [City Manager Michael pool’s original equipment, have Review Firm McLaughlin] and Greenbelt Pub- been in service since 1991 (for To evaluate the submitted lic Works for trying to get it all the pool) and 1993 for the fit- proposals, the city has hired an done and doing the best job you ness center. According to agenda independent engineering firm, can under the circumstances,” he comments prepared for council Mendoza, Ribas and Farinas & continued, referring to the city’s PHOTO BY HELEN SYDAVAR action at the cancelled meeting, Associates (MRFA), to assist in snow removal efforts. Public works clears snow from the Community Center parking lot the units have long exceeded the review. MRFA was selected Jordan’s general satisfactions on Saturday night after the storm ended. their useful life. During their based upon their work on the with the work done was tempered lifetime, in fact, the city had original engineering design when by his concern for the problems pliments about city crews getting day morning and then began to expend significant funds for the pool was constructed in 1991 the city and its residents could out and cleaning out the main the heavy job of shoveling out. costly repairs of failed compo- and their familiarity with all face with a storm, which at the roads. Councilmember Konrad With difficulty finding places to nents in the systems to keep the aspects of existing conditions at time of this interview Tuesday Herling said he thought the city put the snow blocking their cars equipment operating. the facility. evening was projected to bring was doing better than other ar- and clogging their sidewalks and Funds for the proposed re- Based on the pricing ranges another 10 to 15 inches of snow eas. “[Our streets] . are pretty driveways, residents wondered placements would come from provided, the site visits, examples to an area already having great clear,” he also said on Monday. what would be in store for them $600,000 budgeted in the city’s of work, references and input difficulty managing the large ac- He had heard on television that when the second blizzard came Building Capital Reserve Fund, from MRFA, the staff has recom- cumulation on the ground. there were problems in removing along. 75 percent of which would come mended the selection of Option 2 With Mayor Judith Davis away snow in Falls Church. City Efforts from State Program Open Space from Shapiro and Duncan, Inc. on vacation during this storm, With the federal government Public Works Director Ken (POS) funds and the balance (25 at a cost of $530,000 with an ad- Jordan served as the acting head and many other work places shut Hall reported that by Monday percent) from city funds. Two ditional $20,000 for contingencies of the city’s elected government. down, Metro bus and Metro sur- all city streets were passable, firms qualified to do such work and unforeseen costs. Jordan’s commendation of city face rail at a stand still, schools although not all were cleaned – Shapiro and Duncan, Inc. and With the cancellation of the efforts was shared by other mem- and airports closed and even down to bare pavement and much Hot and Cold Corporation – were February 8 council meeting, the bers of the city council. Council- many church services cancelled, widening of roadways still needed identified by city staff. proposed resolution containing member Edward Putens reported most Greenbelters hunkered down After meetings and site visits that he had heard a lot of com- from Friday night until Sun- See SNOW, page 12 to the Aquatic & Fitness Center, See UPGRADE, page 6 Michael Jones, Cab Driver, Council Discusses Rental Fees, Dies during the Blizzard Window Guards, Used Car Sales by Altoria Bell Ross by Jon Aerts Greenbelter Michael Jones died of 45 Court Ridge said Jones during the blizzard on Saturday. had taken him and his family on If proposed code changes to that there are enough problems “Is your primary purpose mon- Bypassers heard a radio playing many trips to the airport. the city of Greenbelt sound dull with rental properties in Green- ey?” he asked Sandra Roberts. and traced the sound to his vehi- “He was totally reliable,” to you, it showed on February 3 belt as it is. “Yes,” she responded. “I can’t cle. Despite efforts by neighbors Turnbull said. “You could count at the Greenbelt Community Cen- Mayor Judith Davis opted go out to eat without [rental] and the Prince George’s Coun- on him.” ter, where city councilmembers for the “camel’s nose under the income . to enjoy the little ty paramedics, Prince George’s Hopi Auerbach of 14 Ridge and management outnumbered tent,” implying that the reduction things that people are accustomed County fire spokesman Mark Road echoed the sentiment. She local residents 10 to 1. may lead to a larger problem for to in our society.” Brady said Jones, who died from said Jones was incredibly help- Among the items discussed Greenbelters if approved. “If Window Guards cardiac arrest, could not be re- ful with her mother, who suf- during the 130-minute council we are not careful, they [resi- The council also discussed a vived. He was declared dead at fers from dementia. “He used worksession was a proposal to dential homes] become boarding measure requiring safety guards an area hospital. to phone her to remind her that reduce the annual $150 fee owed houses.” on all windows exceeding 72 Jones of 39 Ridge Road drove he was coming to pick her up by owner-occupied homes in The lone resident in atten- inches from the ground and a cab for many years. He also and make an effort to look for which one bedroom is rented out dance, Sandra Roberts, argued in whose sill heights are less than served at various times as busi- her if she wasn’t where she was to $50. favor of the reduction, emphasiz- 24 inches from the interior floor. ness or circulation manager and supposed to be,” Auerbach said. Planning and Community De- ing the $6,000 she pays in prop- Craze said the measure would worked on the ad desk at the “My family and I will miss velopment Director Celia Craze erty taxes every year. “I don’t only affect Empirian Village, News Review. Alan Turnbull Mike.” described the measure as a means understand this,” she pleaded which has seen more than one to take pressure off residents more than once. incident of a child falling out of whose primary purpose for rent- While the council empathized its windows. What Goes On ing out a bedroom doesn’t neces- with Roberts at length, the gen- Depending on the device – a sarily include money. eral tenor was one of skepticism $7 window stopper or $45 mesh Monday, February 15 – President’s Day, City and GHI Offices Much like last Saturday’s toward the proposal, especially screen – city manager’s estimate Closed power outage, however, warmth after Roberts acknowledged her is a $54,404 (or $262,305) price Wednesday, February 17 toward the proposal quickly evap- desire to rent out more than one tag for Empirian Village, in- 7:30 p.m., Greenbelt Advisory Planning Board Meeting, Com- orated. bedroom within her home. cluding labor costs. At present, munity Center, Room 114 Councilmember Edward “This change [wouldn’t] apply Empirian Village installs window 8 p.m., Council Worksession with GATE, Community Center, Putens, likened the measure to to you,” Councilmember Rodney guards upon individual request by GATE Studio flattening a flea with a boulder. Roberts pointed out. “You want Empirian residents, according to a “I don’t like it – the idea, the to rent two or three rooms.” concept,” he told council, adding Putens then sealed the deal. See COUNCIL, page 6 “Midge” at the New Deal by John Drago Page 2 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Thursday, February 11, 2010 City Notes Animal Control found one dog Grin Belt Letters to the Editor running at large, removed one bird from a house and filed one vicious dog report.