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Agenda Item
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009
CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
The Regular Meeting of the Bowie City Council was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 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 Karen Ruff, City Clerk Fleming, 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.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:
A. Mr. Jim Loftus, 2702 Federal Lane, spoke about the tree cutting being done BGE's subcontractor. He complained about the tree cutting behind his property which borders the trail along Rte. 197. He said he was advised that only trees that were marked would be cut but now the area is empty of any growth. Mr. Loftus asked if the City Forester is monitoring what the Lewis Company is cutting down as all of the growth on his property was below the power lines.
B. Ms. Ruby Russell, 12413 Starlight Lane, also spoke about the tree cutting and said the Lewis Company had cut down a Cypress tree and was told she had no choice.
C. Ms. Lisa Russell, 2923 Blueberry Lane, spoke about City Code 26-11 that has to do with accessory buildings. She said she applied for a City permit and was told to obtain a County permit prior to getting a City permit; she completed the process at the County and then provided the documentation to the City. She said she then received a letter from the City denying the application because of the size of the shed and was also told the Administrative Review Board would not meet until March 19. Ms. Russell explained that she was a small business owner and needed the accessory building to store office furniture after having to make a decision to decrease her business space in Laurel; the only option she had was to find a storage place where she could conduct her business.
CITY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
A. Appointments/Reappointments/Swearings-in - Councilmember Valentino-Smith moved to appoint Martina Harris as a member of the Education Committee. Councilmember Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
B. Councilmember Marcos moved to appoint Charles Dennis as a member of the Economic Development Committee. Councilmember Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
C. Councilmember Brady moved to appoint Akinwale Ojomo as a member of the Diversity Committee. Councilmember Marcos seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
D. Councilmember Trouth moved to appoint Jeffrey Cooper as a member of the Public Safety Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Turner seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
E. Mayor Robinson swore Ms. Harris, Messrs. Dennis and Ojomo into office in accordance with Section 92A of the City Charter. Mr. Cooper was not present.
PRESENTATIONS:
A. Winners of the "Fulfilling the Dream" Art Contest - Ms. Elveeda Dixon, Chairman of the Diversity Committee, said there were 3 categories in the contest: coloring, poster and photography. She then announced the winners:
K - 2nd Grade Category – Coloring Contest |
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Name |
Grade |
School |
Prize |
Place |
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Maria |
Bejarano |
K |
Kenilworth Elementary |
$100.00 |
First Prize |
Julie |
Le |
1 |
St. Pius X Regional School |
$50.00 |
Second Prize |
Shelby |
Sullivan |
2 |
Grace Christian School |
$25.00 |
Third Prize |
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3rd – 5th Grade Category – Poster Contest |
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Name |
Grade |
School |
Prize |
Place |
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Lawrencia |
Moten |
5 |
Northview Elementary |
$100.00 |
First Prize |
Adia |
Chaney |
4 |
Rockledge Elementary |
$50.00 |
Second Prize |
Leilani |
Moten |
4 |
Northview Elementary |
$25.00 |
Third Prize |
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6th - 12th Grade Category – Photography Contest |
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Name |
Grade |
School |
Prize |
Place |
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Fayven |
Amelga |
10 |
Bowie High |
$100.00 |
First Prize |
Shannon |
Peters |
11 |
Bowie High |
$50.00 |
Second Prize |
Casey |
Clocker |
12 |
Bowie High |
$25.00 |
Third Prize |
Mayor Robinson presented Certificates of Recognition and the prize to each winner and congratulated them on behalf of the Council and residents of Bowie.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
City Manager Deutsch reported on the following items: 1) The City launched a program through the National League of Cities for prescription discount cards for those without insurance. 2) The long struggle for additional authority in the land use area is coming to a conclusion this Friday when the County House Delegation votes on the matter. He asked that Councilmembers contact the various members of the State Delegation from this County to help bring the matter to a positive vote.
Councilmember Brady asked for an update with regard to Church Road south of the section between Mt. Oak Road and Central Avenue where a fatal accident had occurred. Mr. Deutsch replied that the only project that the City is aware of that is moving forward is the intersection improvements; there is no current plan in the County CIP for road improvements south to Route 214.
CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Mayor Pro Tem Turner moved approval of the following items: A. Approval of Minutes of February 2, 2009 Council Meeting; B. Approval of Minutes of February 12, 2009 Special Meeting; C. Approval of Resolution R-11-09, Accepting Bid for an Electrical Upgrade at Pump Station #2; and D. Approval of Proclamation P-2-09, Recognizing February 2009 as "Black History Month". Councilmember Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Revision to Specific Design Plan #SDP-9711/08 - Bowie Town Center - Mr. Frank Stevens, City Planning staff, directed Council's attention to a PowerPoint display which showed a slide of the zoning and surrounding area; the Comprehensive Design Zone was created to encourage the optional and imaginative utilization of land such as building architecture, materials and placement, and signage. He also showed slides of the topography, an aerial photograph, and said the purpose of the SDP application is the revise it to allow the placement of up to 7 automobiles in 4 locations throughout the main retail court area. He described the locations and noted that under the County sign ordinance the display of vehicles is treated as signage and was not included in the original SDP; the County Fire Marshall has reviewed the request and approved it with 4 conditions mentioned in the staff report; the Simon Group has stated that they comply with the conditions and were asking for flexibility for the display of motor boats; if Council concurs, there would be a recommendation that the boats be a maximum of 20 foot in length and no more than a total of 7 boats or automobiles displayed at any one time. Mr. Stevens said the Bowie Town Center Architectural Review Committee reviewed the matter and there was consensus to recommend approval. He concluded that staff is recommending approval with 6 conditions identified on Page 4 of the staff report. He also said that a second item mentioned in the staff report is a discussion of media, signage and banner opportunities that the Simon Group will be discussing this evening.
Mr. William Shipp, attorney for the Simon Property Group, said there are two specific actions being requested: 1) the Specific Design Plan update; and 2) the media advertising plan. He assured the Council that the plans for automobile/boat displays and the media advertising are not being proposed at any other location in the City.
Ms. Laura Stafford, Portfolio Director of Business Development, Simon Property Group, displayed a PowerPoint presentation showing media opportunities which have been used at other locations and as shown in the handout which is on file at City Hall. She then displayed slides showing potential opportunities at Bowie Town Center; there are 3 categories: wall scapes, window scapes, and light pole banners. Ms. Stafford then displayed a map showing where the automobiles would be located, and a map displaying event space. She said with regard to the event space, they would like to be able to host up to 12 events, 1 per month, not to exceed 14 days in length and the location would be available for temporary events or tent sales; Location C and D would be available for street fairs and community events.
Since there were no persons signed up to speak, Mayor Robinson declared the public hearing to have been held.
Following discussion, questions and responses between the Council, Mr. Shipp and Ms. Stafford, Mayor Robinson thanked Mr. Shipp and Ms. Stafford for their presentation and noted that as the proposal is developed, a balance needs to be reached so that it is a regional business center rather than a theatrical center; will be looking forward to a follow-up presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner moved approval of SDP # 9711/08 Automobile Advertising with conditions and adding the word "positive" in front of "battery" in Condition #5 and adding Condition #7 to minimize the displacement of pedestrian traffic when placing the vehicles to be displayed. Councilman Marcos seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela A. Fleming, MMC
City Clerk
