Weekly Status Report - 6/4/09

MEMORANDUM

TO:               City Council

FROM:         David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT:  Status Report

DATE       : June 4, 2009 

Status Report

1.  Planning Board Results

On Thursday, May 28th, the Prince George’s County Planning Board conducted a public hearing on the Mill Branch Crossing Preliminary Subdivision Plan (#4-08052). The subject site is located on the northeastern corner of the U.S. Route 301 (northbound)/Mill Branch Road intersection, contains approximately 74 acres and is zoned C-S-C (Commercial Shopping Center).  The applicants in this case, Mill Branch Crossing LTD Liability Company and Mill Branch Crossing LLC, are proposing to combine several lots to create one (1) building lot.  The City Council conducted a public hearing on this application on May 18th and recommended approval with several conditions.

At the County Planning Board hearing, which lasted several hours, the Board heard testimony from expert witnesses regarding traffic and archeology.  Five area residents and property owners also addressed the Board.  At the conclusion of its public hearing, the Planning Board voted unanimously (4-0, Clark absent) to approve the Preliminary Subdivision application.  Commissioner Squire moved for approval. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Vaughns and included all of the City’s conditions.

2.  Vehicle Acquisition

The Community Services Department Code Compliance Division has a new vehicle scheduled for acquisition in FY10.  The vehicle to be purchased is a 2009 Ford Focus sedan.  The vehicle is available from Hertrich Fleet Services per State Contract #001B9200231 for $13,567.00.

Fifteen thousand dollars was appropriated in the FY10 Equipment Acquisition and Replacement Fund to cover these costs.  As provided in Section 62 of the City Charter, this will serve as the required seven-day notice of intent to purchase this vehicle.  If Council has no objection, we will issue a purchase order with delivery scheduled after July 1, 2009.                              

3.  Equipment Acquisition and Replacement

The following mower has been determined to be necessary for carrying out the functions of the Parks and Grounds Division and is scheduled for replacement and purchase in FY10.  Available sources have been reviewed, and it has been determined that the following bid is available for the acquisition of a wide area mower to replace mower #333 through the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance Contract #83004-01.  The mower is priced at $49,117.87 and is available from Turf Equipment & Supply.  The FY10 Equipment Acquisition and Replacement Fund includes $49,200.00 for this purpose.

The City will not accept delivery of the mower prior to July 1, 2009, since it is scheduled for purchase in FY10.  As provided by Section 62 of the City Charter, this will serve as the required seven (7) day notice of intent to issue a purchase order to Turf Equipment & Supply for $49,117.87.

4.  City Tree Canopy Coverage Report

Attached is a copy of the final report prepared for the City by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and their contractor, The University of Vermont.  The City's tree canopy coverage, based on satellite imagery obtained in 2007, is approximately 46%.  All of the related data has been received and has been added to the City's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files.  The Planning Department will be conducting further analyses in support of the City's environmental programs.  One of the Department's objectives in the FY 2010 Budget is to work with Council to establish an Urban Tree Canopy goal for the City.

5. Update on Pet Pickup Alerts

To date, 97 individuals have signed up to receive pet pickup alerts through the Alert Bowie system.  Animal Control sent out its first pet pickup alert on May 4th.  Since that time, they have sent out a total of 22 alerts notifying subscribers when a pet was picked up and the owner could not be determined or contacted.  We are continuing to refine how the system is used and will begin advertising the service more widely over the next few months.