Weekly Status Report - 2/2/2012

MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report

DATE: February 2, 2012

Status Report

1. Car #7 Replacement

The Public Works Department has received and analyzed the State of Maryland vehicle bid results. Car #7 is scheduled for replacement with a hybrid type vehicle in FY12 with a budget of $22,600. The Public Works Department recommends replacing car #7 with a Ford Fusion Hybrid Model vehicle at a cost of $25,920. Although the cost is over budget by $3,320, there are sufficient funds in the Equipment Acquisition and Replacement fund to cover the overage. 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 Apple Ford in Columbia, MD in the amount of $25,920.

2. USGBC Award for City Hall Project

The Bowie City Hall Project has won an award for LEED - New Construction for a Public Facility from the Maryland Chapter of the US Green Building Council. Representatives from City staff and the project architect, Grimm + Parker, attended the awards ceremony honoring the City project and other statewide projects on Thursday, January 26, 2012 in Anne Arundel County.

3. Bowie Green Team Formation

Progress is being made on the formation of the City's "Green Team". Last September, Council authorized the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) to act as the "core" membership and encouraged solicitation of additional members from the community. Recruitment announcements were placed in both local newspapers, on the City website and in the City newsletter. The recruiting period closed on January 31st, with 25 interested residents having contacted the City about joining the "Green Team". At its meeting this week, the EAC decided to hold a kick-off meeting with the recruited members later this month. After that meeting, a roster will be submitted for Council's endorsement. Initially, the "Green Team" will meet numerous times to review their mission, set logistical expectations, assess the actions the City is already taking, evaluate the responses to the on-line environ-mental awareness survey, discuss the benefits and barriers to future actions, and determine a 3-year Action Plan that will be submitted to City Council for approval. Staff will keep Council informed of the progress of the "Green Team" as it continues.

4. PG 307-12 – Prince George’s County – City of Bowie –Alcoholic Beverages Licenses for Supermarkets

Today, during a work session of the House Delegation’s Committee on Law Enforcement and State Appointed Boards, Senator Peters and Delegate Valentino-Smith explained the bill. Mayor Robinson and Lobbyist Len Lucchi testified in support of the City’s request for local authority to approve beer and wine sales in local grocery stores to enhance our shopping center marketability, to support new local jobs, and to create additional consumer alternatives.

One of the amendments offered by Delegate Ben Barnes – the City has not as yet supported - would allow the same option for College Park and Laurel. That option created comments from some Delegates that this would encourage all the other municipalities to follow suit and openly wondered about the effect of that action on the bill.

Other amendments offered included:

To limit the size of the premises to 35,000 square feet.
To limit the location to be north of, or contiguous to, Route 450 within Bowie.
To prohibit advertising signs for beer and light wine.
To specify that the new licenses allowed under the bill are for Bowie grocery stores.
To waive the requirement for an entertainment license for a license holder in the Bowie redevelopment district.
To waive the requirement for an entertainment license for a license holder which is a veterans organization.

A number of lobbyists and alcohol retailers spoke in opposition to the bill arguing the bill would unfairly impair their industry.

The bill was "special ordered" and will be reheard next Thursday.

5. Swearing-in of Police Officers

The following officers will be sworn in during Monday’s Council Meeting:

Private Valencia M. Moss of Temple Hills was previously a member of the Seat Pleasant Police Department for 1 1/2 years.

Private Jason L. Coleman of Bowie graduated from Bowie High School and completed a four-year tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from the Prince George’s County Police Academy on January 5th.

Private John Lee III of Bowie graduated from Bowie State University with a BS in Criminal Justice. He graduated from the Prince George’s County Police Academy on January 5th.

Private Francis X. Stevens III of Bowie graduated from Bowie High School and from Bowie State University with a BS in Criminal Justice. He graduated from the Prince George’s County Police Academy on January 5th.

DJD/asf