REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2008
CALL MEETING TO
ORDER:
The Regular Meeting of the Bowie City Council was held on Monday, June 2,
2008 in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. Mayor Robinson called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
QUORUM:
In
attendance were Mayor Robinson, Councilmembers Brady, Marcos, Polangin, Trouth,
Turner
and Valentino-Smith; City Manager Deutsch, Asst. City Manager Fitzwater,
City Attorney Robert Levan, Members of the Staff, the Press and the Public.
PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: The Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS/AMENDMENTS:
Mayor Robinson announced that Resolution R-34-08 regarding purchase of trash trucks will be added as Item F under the Consent Agenda.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:
1. Ms. D.J. Campbell, 2809 Folsom Lane, spoke about street lights on or near her property in addition to various porch lights that were of concern to her.
2. Mr. Carl Wilson, 1500 Running Park Court, spoke about the City Code and ask the City Council to review the ordinances as they pertain to use of City fields in public parks. A copy of Mr. Wilson's statement is attached.
3. Mr. and Mrs. William Ferko, 15706 Pinecroft Lane, spoke about cargo trailers and the County Code with regard to private property. They felt the Code needed updating.
CITY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
A. Councilmember Marcos moved the appointment of Kia Buchanan as a member
of the Financial Advisory Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Turner seconded the motion
and it carried unanimously.
Mayor Robinson swore Ms. Buchanan into office in accordance with Sec. 92A of
the City Charter.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCMENTS:
1. Mayor Robinson reminded everyone that Bowiefest 2008 is scheduled for June 7 at Allen Pond Park.
2. Councilmember Brady presented Asst. Director of Community Services, Sally Hein, with a certificate from the Maryland Municipal League for her service on the 2008 Maryland Municipal League Legislative Committee.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
City Manager Deutsch reminded everyone that the second of the Council's planned town hall meetings is scheduled for June 9th at 7:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room. This meeting is for the District 2 residents.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner moved approval of the following items: A. Approval of Resolution R-30-08, Authorizing the Reimbursement of Funds to the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc.; B. Approval of Resolution R-31-08, Accepting Bid for the Removal of Structures, Vehicles and Debris at Church Road Park; C. Approval of Resolution R-32-08, Awarding a Contract to Boblits Enterprises for Renovation and Improvements to the Bowie Playhouse Located at Whitemarsh Park; D. Approval of Proclamation P-11-08, Honoring Flag Day by the City of Bowie and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #2309; E. Introduction of Ordinance O-2-08, Providing Supplemental Appropriations for the Annual Budget for the Fiscal year Ending June 30, 2008 for the Purpose of Funding the Purchase of Ecitation Electronic Ticketing Equipment, Renovations to the Bowie Playhouse, and a Study Related to the "Research and Interpretive Development for the Belair-At-Bowie Flight to Freedom"; and F. Approval of Resolution R-34-08, Authorizing Waiving of Bidding Requirements By Two Thirds Vote to Allow for the Purchase of Two Refuse Trucks. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Overview of Cargo Trailer Parking in the City - Ms. Sally Hein, Asst. Director of Community Services, summarized the staff report dated June 29, 2008, a copy of which is on file at City Hall. She displayed a PowerPoint presentation which showed cargo trailers that are parked within the City. Ms. Hein said that staff felt there are 3 options available: 1) to enforce the City Code as written; 2) to enforce the City Code as written, but only on a complaint basis; and 3) to change the City Code to permit parking of trailers on City streets. She said it is staff's recommendation to enforce City Code both proactively and by complaint.
Following questions and discussion by Council, Mayor Robinson proposed a letter be drafted to the County Council to ask for consideration in amending the County ordinance.
Councilmember Brady added that the City should seek County modification of the Code that would redefine what are recreational vehicles; the letter should be sent to other municipalities to get some support and then bring the matter back to Council in 3-6 months. Council concurred.
There was no support by the City Council for parking on City streets or for enforcement on a complaint only basis.
B. Police Department Update - Chief Katherine Perez provided an overview by displaying a PowerPoint, a copy of which is on file at City Hall. She reviewed time lines, highlights, 2007 statistics, statistics for a five month period in 2008, April incident reports, and calls for service in April, 2008. Deputy Chief John Nesky reported on response times and comparisons.
Ms. Monica James, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, provided some highlights on some of the areas the committee is working on; they have been requested to review the issue of traffic calming measurers and they will be making a recommendation to Council.
Mayor Robinson said that as the Police Force continues to grow and evolve, it might help to meet with the County to see if there is a comprehensive strategy to identify the issues in the area of response times, etc. so they can be fixed.
City Manager Deutsch reported that space is being provided in the new City Hall facility to accommodate a dispatching center; to get control of that function and to have local dispatch that can be implemented within a year or two after moving into the facility would make sense.
C. Complaint - Mayor Robinson reported that for the last year, there has been on-going review of a complaint that was filed against Councilmember Turner; Council has had an opportunity to review the report that was written by the Ethics Commission; Council has met with Mr. Turner, has come to a series of conclusions and presented Councilman Turner with the Council's position. He read the letter which was presented to Mr. Turner into the record, a copy of which is attached.
Councilman Turner thanked the members of the Council and the Ethics Commission. He read a statement into the record, a copy of which is attached.
Councilmember Marcos moved to adopt the letter of agreement presented to Councilmember Turner. Councilmember Trouth seconded the motion and it carried with a vote of 6-0-1 (Turner - abstain).
D. Harmony Place - Mayor Robinson reported that the County is calling up the residential proposal for Harmony place. He asked for Council concurrence to draft a letter acknowledging the City's appeal of the County decision to be delivered prior to the 30 day expiration. Mayor Pro Tem Turner announced he would abstain from voting in conformance with the Ethics Commission ruling. Council concurred with sending the letter to the County 6-0-1 (Turner - abstain).
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela A. Fleming, CMC
City Clerk