SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2004

CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

The Regular Meeting of the Bowie City Council was held on Monday, April 12, 2004 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Robinson called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.

QUORUM:

In attendance were Mayor Robinson, Councilmembers Aleshire, Bennett, Booker Jones, Brady, Jenkins and Lyles; City Manager Deutsch, Assistant City Manager Fitzwater, Members of the Staff, the Press and the Public.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG:

The Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Ordinance O-4-04 – Approving and Adopting a Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2004 and Ending June 30, 2005 – Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins moved the introduction of Ordinance O-4-04. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously by those members of the Council present.

B. Resolution R-22-04 – Adopting a Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2005-2010 – Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins moved the introduction of R-22-04. Councilman Aleshire seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

C. City Manager’s Introductory Remarks on FY 2005 Budget – Mr. Deutsch reported that public hearings on the budget and capital improvement program would be held on April 19 and May 3, 2004; notices have been posted on the City’s web site, the cable channel, and in the newspapers. He then gave an overview of the budget and said there was difficulty in preparing this year’s budget and a fair measure of that difficulty resulted from the activity during the Legislative Session in Annapolis. He reported the good news is that it appears there will be a State budget passed that will do no more harm to local government; staff was concerned about further cuts, possible limits on income tax revenue were not discussed by the State and the City expects to receive about $200,000 more than current year in highway user revenue. Mr. Deutsch said the 2005 Session presents a significant task collectively with fellow municipalities in trying to protect municipal revenue because the State has not addressed its structural deficit problem. He then reported on the Homestead Tax Credit program which caps annual increases in residentially owned and occupied property; the City has been linked with the County’s rate which has gone as low as 1% in the current fiscal year and 2% in the next year; staff is recommending for 2006 that Council take an action during the budget cycle to endorse a Homestead Property Tax Credit cap of 5% which would allow annual increases of up to 5%. Mr. Deutsch then reported on interest earnings, traffic infraction revenue and the need for a tax increase in FY 2005. He said staff felt this is prudent to offset some of the revenue decreases and the gap between expenditure and revenue; it will be the first increase in 3 fiscal years and staff recommends a rate of .322 cents per $100 of assessed value; if Council endorses this rate it will generate $1.74 million in property tax; this would mean if a house was assessed at $170,000, an additional $51 in property tax would be paid to the City next year. He added there is focus on emergency preparedness and there are 3 additional full-time positions proposed; in the grants management process, one of the dilemmas from the success of the program is that additional reporting to the grants agencies is needed, therefore, a half-time grants position is proposed to assist the Grants Coordinator. Mr. Deutsch spoke about the utilities cap coming off that will affect the City July 1, and residential customers in 2006. He mentioned a long-standing drainage problem in the Race Track Road area on the edge of the Overbrook and Saddlebrook subdivisions; this is a combined City and County problem and through negotiations staff has a commitment from the County Department of Public Works and Transportation to split the cost of a culvert installation to solve the problem; similarly, staff has been working on the WSSC interconnection where there is a 50% cost sharing to add a third interconnection; the MD Rte. 450 stormwater management pond and Marne Lane channel improvements will be completed by the State; also, the Council has spent $3.35 million in capital costs with regard to the BRAVA project; $80,000 is budgeted which is one sixth of the share of the operating costs based on the joint use agreement. He suggested that these funds be restricted by stating that these funds would not be spent unless the other two jurisdictions, Park and Planning and the Board of Education, sign on the dotted line so that there are two active partners.

In response to a question posed by Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins regarding the affect on local governments, Mr. Deutsch replied the expectation is that the State budget will be balanced technically by a series of accounting maneuvers much the same as the last two fiscal years, by emptying various reserve funds. He said that the Maryland Municipal League is reporting there is no indication now that the State will go to local governments’ share to plug the gap in the 2005 budget.

With regard to the Rte. 197/Kenhill Drive red light camera, Mr. Jenkins asked whether this location will continue to be used since there was an 85% reduction in tickets. Mr. Deutsch replied staff’s recommendation is to continue and the vendor is interested in continuing at this location since it has a positive public safety impact.

Mr. Jenkins then said he hoped that a consensus on the BRAVA issues will be achieved, if not this evening, then very early in the budget process because if the $80,000 remains in the budget, he felt it was essential that the City send a message as early as possible that the MOU is absolutely essential if that money is to be expended.

Councilwoman Bennett suggested that before the Council makes a decision on the Homestead Tax Credit, that it be after the two public hearings have been held so that citizen input is received; in addition, she said the Homestead Tax Credit should be listed as an agenda item so that citizens will know when it is to be discussed.

Councilman Aleshire suggested a meeting with BRAVA representatives to discuss the MOU. In response to a question Mr. Aleshire posed regarding whether the money is in the Park and Planning and the Board of Education budgets, Mr. Deutsch reiterated that if Council budgets the $80,000, it would only be released upon similar action of the other two jurisdictions. He said it was his understanding operating funds are not in the Park and Planning budget, and they are not in the Board of Education budget. He said he met with representatives of both jurisdictions but there was no indication of a commitment. Staff will keep Council apprised of the activities as those agencies move forward in their budgets. He added that County Councilman Peters has indicated interest in helping to bring the three agencies together to fashion an agreement.

Councilman Brady said he agrees with Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins that the message needs to be sent as early as practicable so that they then have the pressure on their groups to come forward with their share of this project.

Councilwoman Booker Jones asked if the opening of the BRAVA facility had been discussed at the meeting Mr. Deutsch referred to. Mr. Deutsch replied it was understood that they are trying to focus on the completion of the capital project and don’t expect to remain as an entity, but become a “Friends” group. He added that he doubted that BRAVA would be able to operate the facility without all of the three public partners signing on. Ms. Booker Jones said she also agreed that a meeting be scheduled with the BRAVA staff in order to be updated as to where things stand and to determine if they have a financial outlay in terms of the cost to complete the project and to operate the facility.

D. City Council Comments on FY 2005 Budget – Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins said he felt last year’s budget sessions were successful, and even though his requests this year may be redundant, he felt they will reflect what every member of the Council did last year. He said he would like to make generic suggestions: 1) any new expenditure proposals, particularly major capital improvement expenditures, be placed on the table at the beginning of the budget process and not at the end; it is important Council know what they are considering upfront and during the entire budget process; 2) hoped the Council forces itself to prioritize competing budget expenditures; cannot fall into the trap of trying to do everything all the time for everybody; 3) when adding items to the budget, Council members should identify offsetting reductions or additional revenue sources. He said his objective is an adopted budget that neither increases taxes nor draws from the reserves. Mr. Jenkins added that the City Manager give some thought to presenting Council with options if they have a budgetary impact with regard to speed control; has come to the conclusion that the only near-term fix is more speed control by enforcement.

Councilman Aleshire suggested: 1) revisit ballfield lights at the Hopkins property; 2) continue to fund revitalization efforts in Old Bowie; 3) evaluate whether one street light could be placed on Pointer Ridge Place between the entrance and exits to the Post Office; 4) support of the SPCA regarding the microchip identification program; 5) work with the Huntington Heritage Committee and the museum subcommittee to develop exhibits and analyze grants.

Councilman Brady said he had several items that need attention: 1) information on a cost breakdown of traffic calming devices; a pilot program needs to be looked at targeting Stonybrook Drive; 2) staff be available to assist BRAVA with grants to defray some of the operating costs of the facility; 3) evaluate placing advertising on the outfield fences of ballfields; 4) a breakdown of City Attorney costs this past year to be split up between the general duties, the amount spent defending the City in the Amber Ridge case, and the cost of defending the City in the Science and Technology case; also would like to see a 10 year history of what the actual City Attorney costs have been to the City. Mr. Brady commented that he was glad that something was being done to fix a problem that has been there for 3 or 4 years with regard to the Parks and Grounds facility.

Councilwoman Booker Jones suggested: 1) the ballfield lights at the Hopkins Property should be a priority during this budget session; 2) implementation of neighborhood marquees throughout the City be looked at; 3) a half stonewall at Woodmore Highlands for safety and health concerns, as well as environmental reasons and aesthetic appearance; 4) a bus transportation trail for senior citizens; 5) agreed with trying to solicit grants for BRAVA operating costs.

Councilwoman Bennett recommended 1) staff consider preparing a draft policy statement for review and get starting point to look at the issue of creation of a capital projects policy statement; 2) supports the issue of City entranceways and requested Council support on moving $30,000 for Quality Community Initiative project in the Capital Projects budget from 2006 to 2005; 3) will continue to support the City’s efforts to focus on economic redevelopment in the older retail centers, attracting new high tech firms to the City and the revitalization of Old Town.

Councilman Lyles suggested: 1) look at a web site upgrade; 2) look at creating a comprehensive plan for the Capital Projects Fund; 3) in favor of moving away from the County with respect to the Homestead Tax Credit; 4) in favor of looking at a full-time grants administrator; and 5) with regard to District 4, consider items specifically related to bike trails and walking paths to connect to the rest of the City.

Mayor Robinson thanked staff for a job well done in bringing the proposed budget together; serious challenges have been posed with regard to the Homestead Tax Credit and prioritizing proposals. He said the Council’s first responsibility is to maintain the City’s strong financial position. He said his priorities are to maintain basic services, deal with some serious public safety issues, and felt that discipline and civility are necessary as Council proceeds through the budget process; the objective is to come out with a sound budget plan to continue to build on the outstanding traditions of this community and to build on the financial strengths of the community so that all of the other things that make this a great City will continue to prosper.

ADJOURNMENT:

Councilman Lyles moved to adjourn the meeting into Budget Worksession. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela A. Fleming, CMC
City Clerk