MEMORANDUM
To: City Council
From: David J. Deutsch, City Manager
Subject: Strategic Plan Update
Date: November 22, 2006
Attached please find an update concerning the status of items contained in
the City’s Strategic Plan adopted by City Council in June 2005. Out
of the 25 action items contained in this plan, 14 have been substantially
completed.
The major action plan being worked on currently pertains to action plan #3 regarding the creation of the City Police Department. This is a major organizational issue and requires considerable organizational effort to implement.
Staff will continue to work with City Council concerning implementation of the 11 remaining action items contained in this report.
Staff is prepared to respond to any questions City Council may have concerning the status of any items contained in this report.
Attachment
Strategic Plan Status
November 22, 2006
Completed Items
Action Plan 1 – Determine weaknesses of existing police services. – Completed
Action Plan 2 – Evaluate ways to address weaknesses in existing police services. – Completed
Action Plan 10 – Establish and implement annexation policy – Policy adopted by City Council March 6, 2006.
Action Plan 11 – Provide policy guidance at start of budget process – City Council meeting held on November 28, 2005 to implement this objective. Staff will schedule an annual meeting each November to allow City Council the opportunity to provide policy guidance at the start of the budget process. The meeting for the FY 2008 budget is scheduled for November 27, 2006.
Action Plan 15 – Minimize decay of commercial buildings. This item was discussed by City Council on September 12, 2005. It was decided by City Council not to pursue additional authority from Prince George’s County for commercial code enforcement, but rather to use the enforcement capabilities that the City currently has in this area to continue commercial code enforcement by City personnel.
Action Plan 16 – Influence decisions affecting current overcrowding of schools. – With the construction of the new Northview Elementary School, the renovation of the Whitehall Elementary School, the conversion of Samuel Ogle to a Middle School, the movement of ninth graders at Bowie High School to the Belair annex, and the proposal to locate a new high school at the Mitchellville Road site, many of the problems with school overcrowding will have been addressed. A presentation was made to City Council on March 13, 2006 regarding this matter and on Action Plans 17, 18 and 19.
Action Plan 17 – Influence development decisions that affect school overcrowding. – This issue was considered as outlined in Action Plan 16 above.
Action Plan 18 – Advocate for school construction projects that alleviate school overcrowding. – See Action Plan 16 above. Much of this objective has already been achieved.
Action Plan 19 – Facilitate return of former school facilities to school use. See Action Plan 16 above. Much of this objective has already been accomplished.
Action Plan 20 – Advocate for road construction projects that alleviate traffic congestion. –The City’s Planning Department prepares letters each year to the state and the county regarding road projects that are needed in the City. Staff participates in the annual Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP) hearing conducted by SHA.
Action Plan 21 – Influence development decisions affecting Bowie roads. – As an ongoing activity, the City’s Planning Department prepares letters to the state and county regarding development decisions that affect Bowie roads.
Action Plan 22 – Evaluate intra-city public transportation as a means of reducing traffic congestion. – Traffic consultant hired to study this issue. Preliminary report made to City Council on September 11, 2006. Draft final report presented to City Council on October 9, 2006. A final written report is anticipated by December 1, 2006. Staff is also preparing additional financial information requested by City Council concerning operating costs and usage information pertaining to the City’s Senior Transportation Program. Additional worksession proposed for January for City Council to address policy questions contained in report.
Action Plan 23 – Consider effect on commercial tax base of any proposed annexation. – This item was considered in Action Plan 10 regarding the creation of an Annexation Policy. Commercial tax base is considered as part of the analysis that accompanies each annexation the City is engaged in.
Action Plan 25 – Evaluate property that may be subject to rezoning. – Many of the items here were dealt with in the City’s Master Plan and Sectional Map amendment process. Planning prepared analysis of this item for City Council.
Active Item Status
Action Plan 3 – Select and implement enhancements to police services – Police referendum held on November 8, 2005. Citizens voted 77% to 23% in favor of City establishing police department. City Council authorized City Manager to pursue creation of City Police Department on November 21, 2005. Police Chief started September 11, 2006. New police department being created.
Action Plan 4 – Create plan to lobby for increased land use authority at the State level – Planning is working with College Park and Greenbelt regarding obtaining increased land use authority as authorized by State law change. Draft enabling legislation has been prepared for consideration by the County Council giving the County the authority to implement additional land use authority granted by State law. Each municipality will also need to have separate specific legislation adopted by the County Council regarding achieving this additional land use authority. A strategy needs to be developed to approach the County Council to get the appropriate legislation adopted at the County level. It is uncertain as to the extent of support at the County level for adopting this legislation. City Council and other cities agreed not to pursue additional land use legislation in the 2006 legislative session until existing local authority is implemented. Because of this deferral, staff has not created a lobbying plan, nor has staff pursued hiring a professional lobbyist at this point. Staff would suggest a continued focus on establishing authority already granted by the State at the County level prior to pursuing any additional land use authority at the State level.
Action Plan 5 – Implement lobbying plan established in Action Plan 4 – See description under Action Plan 4 above.
Action Plan 6 – Hold at least eight annual events for key actors in City. – Item discussed by City Council on January 23, 2006. Suggestions were made for future meetings. Several meeting have been held this year. With the election completed, staff would suggest pursuing these meetings with greater vigor.
Action Plan 7 – Build relationships with partners/stakeholders. – Draft memo partially prepared. This item will be brought to City Council in early 2007.
Action Plan 8 – Publicize Bowie’s commitment to partnering with community and governmental entities. – We will meet with Public Information Office once we accomplish Action Plan number 7 above.
Action Plan 9 – Promote positive references to partners/stakeholders – Item discussed at January 25, 2006 City Council Retreat. City Council agreed to internally develop the elements that would be incorporated in this item.
Action Plan 12 – Evaluate new service options; select and implement changes. – This item is scheduled for discussion with City Council on November 27, 2006. This will be incorporated with Action Plan number 11 above.
Action Plan 13 – Correct existing problems and prevent emerging problems with non-City infrastructure. – Public Works has prepared an analysis of County and State streets. The City is already tracking BGE utility disruptions and meeting with BGE representatives annually to discuss performance and problems. As a spin-off from this item, an assessment program of the City’s water and sewer infrastructure will be looked at in terms of number of water main breaks, number of sewer backups, infiltration, life span of existing pipes and other relevant items. Information will be provided to Council in early 2007.
Action Plan 14 – Encourage repair/replacement of deteriorated infrastructure owned by other government entities. - Draft memo prepared. Suggested course of action is to provide package of information to City Council and recommend that information be transmitted to other agencies. This information will be presented to City Council in early 2007.
Action Plan 24 – Encourage commercial redevelopment. - This is listed as a January 2007 issue. Planning and Economic Development will be involved with this issue.