MEMORANDUM


TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: February 22, 2007


Status Report

1. Public Safety Surcharge Bill Scheduled for Vote – Friday, February 23

Tomorrow morning, the Prince George's House Delegation will vote on PG 414-07, which would increase the percentage of the Public Safety Surcharge that would go to municipal police departments in Prince George's County. Current law provides that 12% of the surcharge revenue go to the municipalities. This bill originally proposed that the municipal share be raised to 50%. It has since been amended to 25%. The Mayor and Chief Perez will be present at the hearing. The attached letter of support was sent to each of the 23rd District Delegates.

2. BGE Meeting

As requested by Council, BGE has confirmed that they will attend a meeting on Thursday, March 1st at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

The following agenda has been established for this meeting:

(1) Why did the storm last week cause such a large amount of customers to lose power?
(2) Why did it take so long to restore power to customers?
(3) An assessment and critique of BGE performance in restoring power to customers.
(4) What improvements to the BGE distribution system and storm response process can occur to improve performance for future events?

The meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room. BGE will address the above issues and answer any questions City Council would ask. Residents who wish to address the Council will sign in and have three minutes to address their issue. The Mayor will moderate the meeting. The State Senator and Delegates from the 23rd District will be invited. We will also invite County Council members Turner and
Dean. We will advertise the meeting on cable television, the City's Web page, and make the newspapers aware of this meeting.

3. Northview Elementary School

A County public relations person for DPW&T is quoted in a local paper today as saying that the County has not been requested to study the Northview Elementary traffic matter. This is false, as you know from the reports we have provided to you. In view of this development, a letter will be sent no later than tomorrow to CEO Deasy, the County Executive, our County Councilpersons, and the Director of DPW&T. Council will be copied on the letter.

4. BVFD Training Exercise

The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department will be conducting a training exercise on Saturday, February 24 at 2404 Mitchellville Road. The exercise will involve the burning of the red brick home on the property now known as "Peach Preserve". This property is to be developed as a residential community by K & P Builders.
The BVFD anticipates that approximately 15-20 volunteers and career personnel will participate, and there will be several pieces of apparatus on site. The County Safety Officer as well as command staff will be on the scene. Assistant Fire Chief Pete Mellits is notifying neighbors of the event. The exercise should begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. and finish by 4:00 p.m.

5. Melford Meeting

The meeting with attorney John McDonough has been moved to Thursday, March 1 at 8:00 a.m. at his request. A report will be provided for Council in next week’s package.

Attachments