Greenbelt · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Greenbelt, MD public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Regional emergency alert system funding loss
Federal funding for the region's Everbridge emergency alert system is gone, so municipalities are now paying for it. Greenbelt plans to keep it and get more value out of it — possibly saving $10,000 by switching service tiers.
Recodification of the Greenbelt City Code
Staff expects the recodified city code within 30 days. The council agreed to accept it as-is — even with known outdated provisions like bike registration fees — so it can go online in a searchable format sooner, with fixes to follow.
Improved constituent issue tracking system
Resident complaints are tracked in a basic SharePoint list, and Council Member Knesel wants to fund a real 311-style tracking system so issues get routed, tracked, and resolved faster.
Proposed EV charging stations at Buddy Attick Park
The city's electric trash truck arrives in September, and all eight EV charging ports at the Community Center/Library lot have been tested and work. Staff may limit public-facing ports to four to save money.
Streetlights and PEPCO LED conversion
The city has been trying to buy its streetlights from PEPCO and convert to LED for years. The city is now $113,000 in arrears on the bill as leverage, and council agreed to write a letter to the Public Utility Commission to force PEPCO to act.
Community Visioning and Public Development Working Group
Council stood up a new working group to shape a big-picture community vision — covering annexations, the armory, and other major properties — after a spat over whether to bundle in economic development. Economic development gets its own effort later.
Maryland FAMLI — State vs. Private Plan Options
The city enrolled in the state's family leave insurance program after private alternatives fell through. Employees will see a payroll contribution; Councilmembers Knesel and McKinney want affected employees to have input on the final choice.
Cherrywood Lane Bus Stop and Sidewalk Gap
A $231,000 CDBG grant will resurface Cherrywood Lane, but the money can't fund the long-planned green/complete street design. Staff said the Vision Zero plan must be finished first to unlock bigger grants for engineering.
Curbside composting subsidy and incentives
Council agreed to accept a written report on the compost/food scraps program in lieu of a presentation at the October 19 Save As You Throw work session; Green Aces may seek funding incentives next budget cycle.
WAMADA bus fares and student transit safety
Youth advisory feedback says students are being charged on buses despite expectations of free rides, and bus stops on Cherrywood feel unsafe after dark. Council wants to raise this with WAMADA and possibly the county.
Temporary working groups (subcommittees)
Council created three new working groups and tabled a fourth. Longtime resident Bill Orleans argued small-group meetings shut the public out of council deliberations; Fritz defended the practice as compliant with the Open Meetings Act.
Greenbelt Post Office service concerns
A draft letter to Congressman Glenn Ivey would ask for help fixing ongoing service problems at the Greenbelt Post Office that have frustrated residents.
Mail-in ballot options
Should every registered voter automatically get a ballot? Board data shows it would roughly 2.5x mailing costs (~$39,500 vs ~$14,600), but members pointed to Hyattsville doubling turnout and an 85% return rate among people who request ballots. Decision deferred to budget season.
State Transportation Priorities and Delayed 495 Interchange
Council wants to protect Greenbelt Metro interchange funding, push for restoring Route 193 improvements, and oppose the Transurban Beltway expansion — while coordinating with WMATA on Metro-area redevelopment.
Bond Bill and Federal Earmark Projects
Indian Creek Park, PEPCO streetlight LED conversions, Armory demolition, and citywide wayfinding top the draft bond bill list. Staff will survey council to rank projects before submitting requests.
County Funding for Greenbelt Priorities
County Council Member Tim Adams announced more than $1.65 million secured in the FY2027 county budget for Greenbelt — parks, museum, lighting, and aquatic center maintenance.