Weekly Status Report - 10/28/10

MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report

DATE: October 28, 2010

Status Report

1. Municipal Meeting with Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary

On October 20th, Councilmember Turner and City staff joined other municipal representatives in a meeting with Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Beverly Swaim-Staley regarding the impact of lost Highway User Revenue (HUR) and the status of transportation projects in the State. Secretary Swaim-Staley indicated that in FY 2010 federal “R” moneys were used which allowed for resurfacing projects to continue at the State level. The State is hoping for an additional infusion of federal moneys to keep the resurfacing program going in FY 2011. The focus of the State program currently is on safety and that there is not a lot of infrastructure programs taking place. She did indicate that revenue sources have stabilized in the transportation area and that they are starting to see better economic indicators.

Secretary Swaim-Staley indicated that once moneys start to be put back into the transportation program that the program is likely to look different than before. There will be more of an emphasis on urban revitalization, pedestrian safety and transit oriented programs. The ICC may be the last large highway project that the State takes on for many years. Municipal representatives in attendance spoke in unison about the severe impact that the loss of HUR is having at the municipal level. This has resulted in tax increases, reductions in force and reduced service levels. It was indicated that municipalities do not have the revenue raising capacity that the State has. It was also suggested that revenue enhancements at the State level be considered, such as a raise in the gasoline tax. It was also requested that the State more expeditiously review requests for speed cameras on State roads in municipalities. Secretary Swaim-Staley indicated that the Governor supports gradually restoring HUR to municipalities, but that the support of the State Legislature is also necessary to make this happen.

2. ICC Mitigation Property Owner Letters

Last Thursday, staff learned that the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) was mailing out the attached letter to 53 neighbors of four (4) of the reforestation sites in Bowie where ICC mitigation will take place. These include the following City properties: the former Entzian property on MD 214; property between Collington Manor and Collington Station; open space in the Glen Allen subdivision; and, a stormwater management parcel in Northridge. The purpose of the letter is simply to inform residents of the need for SHA consultants to enter and survey the properties in anticipation of the reforestation activities, which are scheduled to occur in Fall 2011. After reading the letter, staff felt that the letter could be somewhat misleading to residents because it doesn't say enough about the reforestation aspect and planting trees. Rather, the letter is a form letter that SHA uses for all activities in the ICC construction corridor. Staff asked SHA on Thursday if they could rephrase and simplify the letter so people will understand that SHA is only talking about planting trees on the City's properties, as previously discussed with Council. Unfortunately, we learned that the letters had already been sent out, without any clarification. If Council receives any questions from residents, please refer them to the Planning Department.

3. Backhoe #476 Replacement

The Public Works Department has identified a replacement for backhoe #476. The FY 2011 amount allocated is $99,000. The cost of the replacement is $91,130.76, with a trade-in allowance of $18,000 for a total purchase price of $73,130.76. This unit is available on a 2009 bid from Montgomery County (Contract #936000254-AS). As provided in Section 62 of the City Charter, this will serve as the required seven (7) day notice of intent to purchase this equipment.

4. 2010 Leaf Disposal

The last six seasons, the City has collected curbside leaves and stored them at the Public Works Compound for later contract disposal. In 2010 we began combining both curbside leaves and storm debris in the amount of 1,962 tons. For the FY 2011 Budget, we estimate the collection of approximately 1,400 tons of leaves and 250 tons of storm debris at $29 per ton.

The benefits of utilizing the contractual services for removal and disposal are as follows:

Not hauling to the County facility will save approximately 28,000 travel miles;
Diesel fuel savings of approximately $21,000;
Time saved from not traveling to the County facility is equivalent to 501 man-hours.

On June 2, 2006, Anne Arundel County awarded a contract to McKnew Chipping, Inc. for shredding and mulching services (contract #3282-OB), which meets the City's needs. Anne Arundel County has extended McKnew's contract for one (1) additional year through 2011. The price of shredding, mulching and disposal is $11.95 per cubic yard or $29.00 per ton. McKnew will use the City's scale to weigh each load as it leaves the Public Works facility. All debris will be removed by January 31, 2011, weather permitting.

The Public Works Department recommends that we "piggyback" on the Anne Arundel County contract for shredding, mulching and disposal services by McKnew Chipping, Inc. in an amount of $47,850. These funds will come out of the Solid Waste Disposal Fees account.

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 McKnew Chipping, Inc. for the shredding, mulching and disposal of leaves at $29.00 per ton.

5. County Council Results

As Council is aware, the Prince George's County Council held its last legislative session before the November 2 election this week. Two (2) actions pertain to subjects for which the City Council has made recommendations, as follows:

CB-65-2010 - Landscape Manual Update. This was the first update of the County's Manual, which governs landscaping and buffers in new development, since the original Manual was approved in 1990. The City's position letter principally advocated elimination of existing exemptions as well as increasing the amount of tree planting required. Although the County Council did not accept the City's recommendation to require new landscaping in conjunction with home improvements, three (3) of the City's four (4) recommendations were included, the most significant being the increase in minimum required trees for new residential development (the number of shade trees and ornamental/evergreen trees were boosted by one each per lot). Council Member Ingrid Turner requested that these items be included in the legislation.

CR-82-2010 - Water and Sewer Plan Amendment. The Route 301 Median Property (#10/W-01), located on the north side of the Walker Pontiac median crossover, was advanced to Category 4 for Water and Sewer. Both the City and County Executive had recommended denial of the amendment.

6. MDOT Annual Tour Meeting

Last week, Councilmember Todd Turner and City staff attended the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Annual Tour meeting held at the SHA District 3 office in Greenbelt. This week's article in The Bowie Star captures the essence of Transportation Secretary Beverly Swaim-Staley's comments which, in summary, indicate a very minimal amount of funded transportation improvements in the State projected for the coming year. The good news is that port traffic at the Port of Baltimore and airline passenger traffic at BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport have increased substantially over the past year, possibly reflecting a positive turn in the transportation sector of the economy. The State's current focus is on mass transit improvements and the ICC, and it was stated that not much more could be done without additional federal assistance. During a review of highway improvement projects in the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), SHA Administrator Neil Pedersen specifically noted that the Bowie projects would need further action from County officials relative to their Transportation Priority List before the status of those projects could change. Staff obtained a copy of the County's draft Transportation Priority List letter (copy attached), which has been on hold for a number of years by the County Executive. (MD 450 is #8, MD 197 is #11, and the US 301/MD 197 interchange is #13.) In light of the Administrator's comments and the election of new County political leadership, it may be prudent for City Councilmembers to take this opportunity to lobby for the City's transportation priorities. It is expected that the new County Council and County Executive will approve the updated priority list early next year.

7. Election Day Transportation to Polls Provided for Seniors

The City of Bowie Senior Transportation Service will provide transportation to and from local polls on Election Day for seniors and those who are physically handicapped who live within the City of Bowie municipal limits. On Election Day, a senior bus shuttle service will operate hourly between Pin Oak Village, Evergreen Apartments, the Willows Apartments, Bowie Commons and certain polling places during the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Transportation to/from all other locations in Bowie to polling places will be provided by appointment only, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, residents should call 301-809-2324 prior to Election Day.

DJD/JLF/asf

Attachment 1: SHA Letter re: ICC Reforestation
Attachment 2: Draft County Transportation Priority List Letter