TO: City Council
FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager
SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll
DATE: November 30, 2006
Status Report
1. Annexation of Property on Lancaster Lane/Sylvan Drive
In the Council Poll of October 12th, staff asked for Council approval to
pursue annexing two single properties. One property was located on Lancaster
Lane and the other was located on Sylvan Drive. Staff has rethought our
position on pursuing single property annexations of this nature. We are
concerned about the inefficiencies of delivering service to single properties
as pointed out by some members of Council in considering this issue. We
also would argue against approaching all residents on these streets about
annexation because of the pending Twelve Oaks annexation vote. Since the
property owner on Sylvan Drive was only considering annexation for potential
future water service, staff has contacted this property owner and indicated
that we do not wish to pursue annexation at this time. On Lancaster Lane,
the property owner appears to have a reduced interest in annexation since
staff has not had contact in more than a month. We will contact this party
as well to indicate that the City does not wish to pursue annexation of
a single property at this time.
2. Leaf Disposal
The last three seasons the City has collected curbside leaves and stored
them at the Public Works Compound for later contract disposal. There were
1,365 tons collected in 2005 and we estimate 1,400 tons in 2006.
The benefits of utilizing the contractual services for removal and disposal are as follows:
· Not
hauling to the County facility will save approximately 24,600 travel miles;
· Diesel fuel savings of approximately $12,005 ($2.44/gallon vs. $1.32/gallon
last year);
· Time
saved from not traveling to the County facility is equivalent to 501 man-hours
@ $25 per hour =
$12,525;
· Saving $25 per ton landfill fee ($35,000).
On June 2, 2006, Anne Arundel County awarded a contract to McKnew Chipping, Inc. for shredding and mulching services (contract #06-018), which meets the City’s needs. The price for shredding, mulching and disposal is $11.95 per cubic yard or $29.00 per ton. McKnew will use the City’s scale to weigh each load as it leaves the Public Works facility. All debris will be removed by December 29, 2006, weather permitting.
The Public Works Department recommends that we “piggyback” on the Anne Arundel County contract for shredding, mulching and disposal services by McKnew Chipping, Inc. in an amount of $40,600. These funds will come out of the Solid Waste Disposal Fees account.
As provided by Section 62 of the City Charter, this will serve as the required seven (7) day notice of intent to enter into a contract with McKnew Chipping, Inc. for the shredding, mulching and disposal of storm debris at $29.00 per ton.
3. Senior Center Bus Acquisition
The Fiscal Year 2007 Adopted Budget has allocated $54,000 towards the acquisition
of a new bus for the Senior Center. Staff has identified a United States
Government Services Administration (GSA) contract GS-30F-S0013 which has
a 14-passenger vehicle that is handicapped accessible (two seats) available
through Colonial Equipment Co. of Frederick, MD. The unit identified for
the budget was not handicapped accessible. Subsequent to the formulation
of the budget number, it has become evident that demand for handicapped
services has increased and there is a need to upgrade this unit to a handicapped
accessible unit.
The total cost of the handicapped accessible bus is $58,559, which is $4,559 above the allocation. Due to cost savings on other purchases by the Department of Community Services, sufficient funding exists within the Equipment Acquisition and Replacement Fund to cover the difference.
As provided by Section 62 of the City Charter, this will serve as the required seven (7) day notice of intent to sign a contract to provide this vehicle. If Council has no objection, we will proceed with the purchase.
4. King Event
The City's Diversity Committee is planning an event commemorating Dr. Martin
Luther King on Tuesday, January 16th, which will take place prior to the
Council Meeting. Details for the program are still being worked out, but
it is expected to include finalists in an essay, poetry, and art contest
sponsored by the City. It will also feature some type of performance which
highlights Dr. King's work.
In addition to the Committee's
efforts, a group of community members is planning a series of events on
the weekend of January 13 –15th. Their
plans include performances, panel discussions, speeches, and an ecumenical
service.
Members of the two groups have been in contact and are planning programs
that will compliment the other. More details about both efforts will be
forthcoming.
5. Bowie Corporate Center
The Mayor, Councilman Turner, and City staff attended a broker open house
marketing event at the newly completed Bowie Corporate Center, Class A,
Green, office building on Collington Road. Over 60 commercial real estate
brokers representing tenants seeking office space attended and learned
about the added benefits a "green" building can provide corporate
users. A copy of the building marketing materials is attached. Several
senior, experienced brokers remarked on the large attendance at the event
and thought it demonstrated the regional interest in Bowie as a business
location.
The building has several leases nearing signature for tenant spaces on
the first two floors. The developer, Buchanan Partners, also told us that
they are actively pursuing significant prospects for the remaining space
on the third through fifth floors.
State Senator-elect Peters and County Councilwoman-elect Turner also attended
the event.
Attachments