Weekly Status Report - 2/4/2010

MEMORANDUM

TO:               City Council

FROM:         David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT:  Status Report

DATE: February 4, 2010   

Status Report

1.  Bowie Census Event Rescheduled

Due to the forecasts for inclement weather this weekend, the Community Outreach Committee's "Movers and Shakers" Gathering to promote the 2010 Census which was scheduled for Saturday, February 6, has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. - noon at the Bowie Town Center Food Court.

2.  City Marketing Team To Attend ICSC Mid Atlantic Trade Show

A team consisting of Joe Meinert, Director of Planning and Economic Development, John Henry King, Economic Development Director, and Mayor Pro Tem James Marcos, the EDC Council Liaison, will represent the City at the February 16 and 17, 2010 International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) 2010 Mid Atlantic Idea Exchange, a major trade show in the retail segment.  Building on past year’s successes, the team will attend the program sessions on day one and will work the City’s exhibit booth on day two.  The City coordinates a joint exhibit space shared by the City of Bowie, the City of Laurel, and the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC).  This year's event is at the Gaylord National Harbor.  Copies of the Retail Opportunities and Demographics handout the Bowie team uses are in today’s package.

3.  Allen Pond Park Bond Bill

Senator Peters and the 23rd District Delegates are sponsoring legislation to provide a $100,000 bond bill to assist in funding the implementation of the Allen Pond Park Master Plan.  Staff has submitted the required documentation to the Department of Legislative Services in order for the bill to be drafted.  With the General Assembly Session having just completed its third week, it is too early to tell (a) whether there will be any bond bills this year and (b) what the final amount of Allen Pond Park support might be if bond bills are permitted.  If there will be bond bills this year, past practice suggests hearings in the House and Senate on a single day, usually a Saturday, in March. 

4.  Street Lights Memo

Staff has prepared the attached report in response to inquiries from Councilmember Turner.  It is our recommendation that Council continue to respond to inquiries and requests from various residential communities regarding street lights as indicated in the memo. 

5.  13th Annual Bicycle-Pedestrian Symposium

On Wednesday, February 3rd, City staff attended the 13th Annual Bicycle-Pedestrian Symposium held in the Miller Senate Office Building in Annapolis.  The City has been represented at this event for at least the past ten (10) consecutive years.  This exhibition, organized and sponsored by One Less Car, a nonprofit group advocating the increased utilization of modes of transportation that are alternatives to vehicles, is an opportunity to meet and share information with transportation advocates, planners, state and local officials and community leaders.  Discussion topics in the morning and afternoon sessions included: Public Transit and Transportation; the Commuter Connections Program (developed by the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments); bicycle-related legislation introduced in this year’s Maryland legislative session; and, the new interactive trail map being developed by the Maryland Department of Transportation.  City staff once again had a display set-up, which included our Trails Master Plan Map, photo boards of two (2) significant trail-related projects in the City, and maps and brochures regarding the various trails in our area and bicycle safety.  Senator Doug Peters and Delegate Gerron Levi both stopped at the City’s display.

 

 

DJD/asf

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