Weekly Status Report - 9/10/09

MEMORANDUM

TO:               City Council

FROM:         David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT:  Status Report

DATE:        September 10, 2009

Status Report

1.  Economic Development Committee (EDC)

The Bowie EDC held their regular meeting on Tuesday.  They reviewed the draft route for the October 14 bus tour to familiarize EDC members with Bowie commercial development areas and the speaker list for the November 18 meeting on Tax Increment Financing.  They also continued discussion about business retention and will continue to develop ideas and actions in preparation for their December 9 meeting.

2.  BGE Tree Trimming/Cutting on Rights of Way

Attached is a memo that outlines several proposed tree removal projects on rights of way on Route 197, Mitchellville Road and Race Track Road.  Please contact John Fitzwater should you have any questions about these proposed actions.

3.  TLC Grant Project Completion

Included in the Council package this week is a copy of the final report prepared by Toole Design Group, LLC for the Railroad Avenue Hiker-Biker Trail project, now to be known as "The Bowie Heritage Trail".  The City received a Transportation Land Use Connections (TLC) program grant from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to pay for the consulting services that produced this concept plan.  A total of five (5) meetings were held in May-June with community stakeholders in Old Town Bowie.  The concept that emerged centers around the City's Railroad Museum and proposed pedestrian underpass below the MD 564 bridge over Amtrak and draws upon various themes from the City's history.  A copy of the report will be placed on the City's website.  In addition, a project close-out letter will be sent to residents of Old Town Bowie informing them of the next steps, which include the possible formation of a trail advisory committee and the City's pursuit of funding for design and engineering plans.

4.  Homestead Tax Credit

City staff routinely receives questions about the Homestead Tax Credit program.  Residents should check their tax bills to make sure they are receiving proper credit for the Homestead program.  In most cases, having this credit saves well over $1,000, and often more than that, depending on the individual assessment.  I have included an information page from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (www.dat.state.md.us). 

DJD/asf

Attachments