REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 1, 2006

CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

The Regular Meeting of the Bowie City Council was held on Monday, May 1, 2006 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 Brady, Conroy, Jenkins, Kroemer, Lyles and Turner; 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.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:

A. Elveeda Dixon, Chairman of the Diversity Committee, said she wanted comment on the recent graffiti incidents and thanked the City for their rapid response. She referred to the press release that was released by City staff, which strongly denounced the incident and offered a reward leading up to the arrest of those who committed these crimes. A copy of Ms. Dixon’s complete statement is attached.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Councilman Jenkins moved approval of Consent Agenda Items: A. Approval of Minutes of April 3, 2006 Council Meeting; B. Approval of Minutes of April 10, 2006 Council Meeting; C. Approval of Resolution R-24-06, Authorizing the Reimbursement of Funds to the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc.; D. Approval of Resolution R-25-06, Accepting Bid Proposal for the Preparation of a Transit System Enhancement Study; E. Approval of Resolution R-26-06, Approving a Site Lease With Option Between the City of Bowie and T-Mobile Northeast LLC to Install a Monopole and Related Cellular Equipment at Black Sox Park Located on Mitchellville Road; F. Approval of, 2006 as Bike to Work Day in Bowie; G. Approval of Proclamation P-11-06, Proclaiming the Month of May, 2006 as National Bicycle Month; H. Introduction of Ordinance O-6-06, Amending Chapter 2, “Administration”, Article II, “Personnel System” to Add Division 3A, “Chief of Police”; and I. Approval of Resolution R-19-06, By Two-Thirds Vote Waiving Bidding Requirements and Issuing a Purchase Order for Utility Locating. Mayor Pro Tem Brady seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Ordinance O-5-06 - Approving and Adopting a Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2006 and Ending June 30, 2007 -

Public Hearing:

1. Ms. Joan Pitkin, 12005 Longridge Lane, spoke as a member of the Advisory Board of the Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund (BEAF) to support the remarks of Rev. James Brassard and to request additional funds for BEAF. A copy of Ms. Pitkin’s complete statement is attached.

2. Rev. James Brassard, Christian Community Presbyterian Church, also spoke for BEAF and the need for additional funding. A copy of Rev. Brassard’s complete statement is attached.

3. Ms. Kathleen Parker, Chairman of the Bowie Arts Committee, addressed the issue of funding for public art in the City.

B. Resolution R-20-06 - Adopting a Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2007-2012 - Since there were no persons signed up to speak, Mayor Robinson declared the public hearing to have been held.

C. Constant Yield Tax - City Manager Deutsch reported that this public hearing is required under State law; the required advertisement was placed in the Washington Post; the State regulations dictate the language of the advertisement as well as the type size and the size of the ad; the Constant Yield Tax law says what the tax rate would have been had Council decided the lower the tax rate to compensate for additional revenue based on additional assessments, which would have been 30.9 instead of the current 32.2 or the proposed 35.2. He reported that no one has contacted his office of come the a public hearing.

Since there were no persons signed up to speak, Mayor Robinson declared the public hearing to have been held.

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

1. Councilman Jenkins said that on April 1, there was an accident at 12400 Madeley Lane in which a car ran into a house. He asked the City Manager if there had been any response from the County police in terms of what transpired and what the aftermath was. Mr. Deutsch reported that it was his understanding that the County police investigated the accident and cited the driver who had a medical condition which was the primary cause of the driving mishap; the house was rendered structurally unsound by the County building inspectors the rehabilitation will take a number of moths; the elderly occupants of the house were not injured.

2. Mayor Pro Tem Brady reported on an item in the Washington Post which was discussed at the MML Board of Directors meeting regarding the “Commander in Chief” show last week in which they severely characterized Hyattsville in very negative terms; the Board asked that all municipalities send a letter to ABC to indicate that this show was unacceptable. Council concurred that a draft letter be placed in this week’s packet for approval.

3. Councilman Lyles reported that there was a fire at 1408 Perrell Lane; complaints have been received and he asked the City Manager what is the City’s responsibility. Mr. Deutsch said staff is working on the situation; insurance companies are reluctant to release money until last second; the owner of the property is caught up in this dilemma; may have to go to court to get a court order to compel the property to be either rehabilitated or to be razed. Mr. Lyles noted the house is an attractive nuisance and needed to be boarded up. Mr. Deutsch said staff would report back to Council.

4. Councilman Turner: 1) Thanked the individuals who responded to the graffiti incident and felt it was reflective of the true tenor of the City. 2) Felt the City should honor Senator Green at some future opportunity; and 3) Attended the Spring Fling in Old Town Bowie and felt it was a great event.

5. Councilman Conroy reported: That the Community Recreation Committee would officially dedicate the ballfield at Blacksox Field for Mr. William Davies this Wednesday; 2) Lake Village Community is holding a Community Day on Saturday and all are invited to attend; 3) He was disappointed by the media portraying the City of Bowie having racial issues; felt the recent graffiti incident was an isolated one.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mayor Pro Tem Brady moved to adjourn the meeting into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter. Councilman Jenkins seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela A. Fleming, CMC
City Clerk