City Council Meeting / 2nd Public Hearing on Budget

The City Council of Greenbelt, Maryland, held a meeting on May 12, 2026, which included a second public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. Key procurement-related discussions involved the approval of a contract with Duberry and Davis for engineering and design services for the WA Trail Bridge and Boardwalk project, with a contract amount not to exceed $150,000. This contract was urgent due to a state bond bill deadline requiring funds to be encumbered by the end of May to avoid losing $75,000 in grant funding. The council also discussed the establishment of a restricted matching grant fund to support required grant matches and reimbursable expenses, funded initially by surplus revenues without cutting other programs. Additionally, the council deliberated on the funding and organizational structure of the city's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, considering several options for maintaining or restructuring the position amid budget constraints. The budget discussions included significant capital improvement allocations, such as $1 million for street resurfacing on Hanover Parkway and $400,000 for Shramm Hill Park lighting improvements. The council voted to affirm the city manager's personnel decision in a specific case and approved the consent agenda with minor modifications. Public comments highlighted concerns about road maintenance, transparency in DEI efforts, and the importance of continuing equity initiatives. Overall, the meeting focused on budget finalization, contract approvals for infrastructure projects, and policy discussions impacting future procurement and city operations.