REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2005

CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

The Regular Meeting of the Bowie City Council was held on Monday, October 17, 2005 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Robinson called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. He announced that Councilman Kroemer is out-of-town on business.

QUORUM:

In attendance were Mayor Robinson, Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins, Councilmembers Aleshire, Booker Jones, Brady, and Lyles; City Manager Deutsch, Assistant City Manager Fitzwater, City Attorney Elissa Levan, 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.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

Mr. Bruce Pletsch, 16520 Abbey Drive, spoke about employment centers in other municipalities; it would be a good thing if the covenants for the Maryland Science and Technology Center were upheld.

PRESENTATIONS:

Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins read and moved approval of Proclamation P-18-05 recognizing Ronald Jones, Marcus Knight, and John Fanning for their outstanding humanitarian service. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Major Ferrara and Battalion Chief Thomas presented Certificates of Recognition to City staff members Ronald Jones, Marcus Knight and John Fanning for their quick thinking, immediate application of CPR and use of an AED, which resulted in saving the life of a fellow citizen.

Mr. Duane Brown, Raemore Lane, addressed the Council and said he was the individual whose live had been saved. He thanked the EMT’s and City staff for everything they did for him.

CITY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:

A. Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins moved the appointment of Clinton Jones as a member of the Financial Advisory Committee. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

B. Councilman Aleshire moved the appointment of Rochelle Brown as a member of the Community Outreach Committee. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

C. Councilman Lyles moved the appointment of Ingrid Turner as a member of the Education Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

D. Councilman Brady moved the appointment of Marc Curry as a member of the Arts Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

E. Councilman Brady moved the appointment of Brenda Thompson as a member of the Diversity Committee. Councilman Lyles seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

F. Councilwoman Booker Jones moved the appointment of Jeff Bell as a member of the Administrative Review Board. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mayor Robinson swore in Mr. Jones, Mr. Brown, Mr. Curry, Ms. Thompson and Mr. Bell into office in accordance with Sec. 92A of the City Charter. Ms. Turner was not present.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:

City Manager David Deutsch reported on the following items: 1) Staff checked with the State Highway Administration regarding the status of paving of MD Rte. 450; SHA indicated that the remaining paving will be finished by the evening of October 18 and then will move to the related sections of MD Rte. 197. 2) Expect to have Baltimore Gas & Electric representatives at a worksession in January, 2006 for discussion of progress in improved service in the Bowie area. 3) The final district forum on the police question will be held at the Pointer Ridge Elementary School; another forum has been scheduled on Tuesday, October 25 at 12:45 p.m. for seniors who may not be able to attend evening forums.

CONSENT AGENDA:

A. Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins moved approval of the following Consent Agenda items: A. Approval of the Minutes of September 6, 2005 Council Meeting; B. Approval of Resolution R-72-05, Accepting Bid for Upgrading the City’s Underground Storage Tanks; B. Approval of Resolution R-73-05, Adopting the Recommendation of the Bowie Advisory Planning Board in the Case of BV-2-05; C. Approval of Resolution R-74-05, Accepting the Recorded Rights-of-Way Shown on Huntington City Subdivision Plan; and E. Approval of Resolution R-75-05, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement With Prince George’s County for Race Track Road Storm Drainage Improvements From South of Old Barn road to South of Ovalstone Lane. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

A. Councilman Aleshire referred to an article on the Bowie Health Center and summarized the past history of the Certificate of Need. He reported that a moratorium had been placed on the need for more hospital beds; this moratorium has now been lifted and 110 beds are now available. He felt it was important to have a full hospital in Bowie and asked for consensus to prepare the necessary letter to the Commissioner with copies to State and other local officials.

City Manager Deutsch reported that he had spoken to the Director at the Bowie Health Center and State Planning Director Audrey Scott, both of whom told him that the idea of a full service hospital is being pursued diligently; they would welcome a letter of support from the Council in an expression of support from the community.

The Council concurred with sending the letter.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mayor Pro Tem Jenkins moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela A. Fleming, CMC
City Clerk