The Special Meeting of the Bowie City Council was held on Monday, January 8, 2001 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Robinson at 8:00 p.m.
In attendance were Mayor Robinson, Councilmembers Aleshire, Brady, Ellington, Green, and Jenkins; City Manager Deutsch, Assistant City Manager Fitzwater, City Attorney Bob Levan, Director of Planning and Economic Development Cronk, the Press, and the Public. Mayor Pro Tem Peters arrived late and did not participate in voting.
The Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
A. City Economic Development Plan. Mr. Cronk presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file at City Hall. Councilman Jenkins asked if the consultant’s report satisfies the Request for Proposal. Mr. Cronk responded that the report meets the RFP.
Public Hearing:
Ted Chambers, 16026 Edgeview Terrace, expressed concern about fast tracking and that quality shouldn’t be sacrificed; to keep Route 450 and Huntington in mind; UMSTC campus setting; suggested a marketing strike force.
Mark Melvin, representing the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, read the Chamber’s letter into the record, a copy of which is on file at City Hall.
Councilman Jenkins moved acceptance of the consultant’s report on the condition of staff certification that the RFP has been satisfied, and adoption of the revised Economic Development Policy Plan as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brady.
In discussion, Council decided to split the motion and Councilman Jenkins amended his motion. The amendment was seconded by Councilman Ellington and accepted unanimously. The motion to accept the consultant’s report on the condition of staff certification that the RFP has been satisfied passed by a vote of 4-2 (Ellington and Green opposed). The motion to adopt the revised Economic Development Policy Plan as amended carried unanimously.
Councilman Aleshire moved to amend the motion to include a City outreach team in the Policy Plan. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jenkins and carried by a vote of 5-1 (Green opposed).
Councilman Ellington moved to amend the motion to establish a City Economic Development Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilman Aleshire. Councilman Ellington withdrew his motion to amend.
Councilman Ellington moved to ask staff to develop policy guidelines for reestablishing an Economic Development Committee before the end of February for Council to review and adopt. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jenkins and passed unanimously.
Councilman Brady moved to change the language on page 5 of the Economic Development Policy Plan to read: “Focus attention on all existing business centers [including] particularly Route 450 ‘Mainstreet’.” The motion was seconded by Councilman Aleshire and carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
It was moved by Councilman Jenkins and seconded by Councilman Ellington that Council meet in Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. The motion carried unanimously.
John L. Fitzwater
Assistant City Manager