Weekly Status Report - 6/10/10

1.  Status of BGE Variances

Recently Mayor Robinson sent a letter to BGE inquiring about the status of remaining variances associated with the BERAP project.  Mike Fowler responded this week in the following fashion, “At this time there appear to be approximately 200 variances left to resolve and enforce.  Also, the City had requested that BGE provide customers with information on how to contact the PSC regarding these variance issues.  Given that the issues go to property rights inherent in the utility easements and are not an area covered by PSC regulation, BGE believes that suggesting to customers that they should seek PSC involvement will be unproductive.  Certainly customers are free to contact the Commission regarding any utility-related issue.”

2.  Economic Development Committee (EDC)

The EDC held their regular monthly meeting on June 9th.  The Committee conducted a brief after-event critique of the May business recognition awards.  Additionally, the EDC discussed ideas for the upcoming year's action agendas and reached consensus on three main topics with possible sub-topics:  Growing The City's Tax Base (annexation policy; pending or future annexations); Business Retention
(learning more about Bowie's businesses; direct interaction with Bowie business;
Bowie businesses and City contracting for needed goods and services); and Retail Revitalization (EDC and retailer attraction; resident survey for retail needs; TIF advocacy; and examination of Arts & Entertainment Districts).  Staff will work with the EDC to prepare a more detailed action plan and meeting calendar for review and adoption at the July 14, 2010 regular EDC meeting.

The EDC selected officers for the next two years.  Mr. Alan Coppola was reelected to Vice Chairman; Mr. Emeka Onwezi was reelected to Secretary.  Additionally, the EDC unanimously selected Mr. Edward J. Leyden to be recommended to the City

Council for appointment as Chairman for a two-year term (Mr. Leyden was the first Chairman of the EDC when Council established it in 2002; he served a second partial term when Chairman Ray Skinner departed to serve in Governor O'Malley's Cabinet).  Upon approval by Council, Mr. Leyden will succeed outgoing Chairman Boyd Campbell who has completed his two-year term.

3.  Job Fair

Staff has spoken with representatives from Manekin Construction about the possibility of a job fair associated with the construction of the new City Hall.  Most of the subcontractors already have workers hired for this project.  Also, if someone were hired to work on this project, the scope of work may only pertain to the duration of this project.  Finally, if a job fair was held there could be no guarantees that jobs would be available.  However, with those qualifications, Manekin indicated that there might be a few opportunities and that they would be willing to work with the City doing something along the following lines.  They suggested hosting a lunch with hamburgers and hot dogs in the big trailer on site.  Manekin would have the subcontractor representatives on site with their company names and cards.  Participants would have the opportunity to drop off resumes and discuss potential employment with these companies.  If something like this will work from Council’s perspective, we will begin to arrange setting this up.  Manekin requested several weeks notice, so this could perhaps be set up prior to July 4th.   

4.  Hilltop Shopping Center’s Main Street Sign

The Hilltop Shopping Center redevelopment is continuing on schedule.  Included in this development are new signs that will identify the center and its tenants.  In the early 1990’s, a Main Street sign was installed in the right of way located at Race Track Road and MD 450 (Annapolis Road) that included landscaping.  The sign has subsequently become in a state of disrepair and the landscaping is no longer effective.  As part of the renovations to the center, the sign and the small embankment of evergreens will be removed and the area will receive landscaping enhancements as defined under the developer’s landscape permit.  

 DJD/asf

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