MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: August 31, 2006

Status Report

1. MAGLEV

Council had inquired about the status of this potential rail project. The project is dead! In the 2004 General Assembly Session, a law was enacted prohibiting State funding from being used for “studying, developing or constructing a MAGLEV system in the State.”

2. Bowie Skate Park

This new facility at Allen Pond Park opened last Friday evening, much to the delight of a couple hundred enthusiastic skaters. It is a wonderful addition to the City's recreation offerings. Please stop by when you have a chance. (You'll need a helmet if you plan to skate!)

3. Dixon Property Stakeholders Meeting

On Wednesday, August 30th, a Stakeholders Meeting was held on the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (#4-05135) for the Dixon Property. This is a proposal to subdivide 43+ acres into 57 single-family detached lots and 3 parcels, which are to be conveyed to the homeowner’s association. The site is zoned R-R (Rural-Residential) and is located on the west side of Church Road approximately 1,000 feet south of its intersection with Old Annapolis Road (Old MD Route 450).

Four (4) Dixon family members attended the meeting in addition to two (2) representatives of the Dixon project and a representative from Mid-Atlantic Developers. No other residents attended the meeting. City public hearings for this project are scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. for the Bowie Advisory Planning Board and Monday, September 18, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. for City Council.

4. Purple Line

Staff is trying to arrange a briefing by MDOT regarding this proposed transit project.

5. Traffic Signals on MD 197

Staff continues to urge the State Highway Administration (SHA) to improve the signal timing on MD 197 near MD 450. Please see the enclosed letter to SHA Administrator Pedersen requesting that he expedite this matter.