MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: May 10, 2007

Status Report

1. CSP-06002 Request for Reconsideration (Melford)

The Prince George's County Planning Board has scheduled a reconsideration hearing on Thursday, May 24, 2007. At that time, the Planning Board will review the merits of the petition for reconsideration recently filed by several parties of record. Under normal procedures, if the Planning Board agrees to reconsider the case, a new hearing date and time will be advertised.

2. Economic Development Committee (EDC)

The Bowie EDC held its regular monthly meeting May 9. The EDC welcomed the news that the City Council has issued a proclamation about Business Recognition Month 2007 and briefly discussed the event planning actions the EDC is undertaking to prepare for a 2008 business recognition event. The EDC will further discuss the 2008 event at their July 2007 meeting and intends to begin promotion of the 2008 event in the late fall of 2007.

The EDC discussed a draft letter to the City Council regarding business incubator facilities. The majority expressed support for the idea of the City establishing a business incubator and discussed how the concept of "executive suites" differed from the concept of a "business incubator". The EDC did question whether a City incubator would replace services that should be coming from the County or the State or whether it would supplement and complement those services; consensus was that a City incubator would likely be supplementary and complementary. The EDC acted to authorize the Chairman to sign and send the draft letter.

The EDC concluded with a spirited discussion about the City's court victory on the MIE/MSTC covenants and voted to write a letter to the City Council expressing the EDC's congratulations and thoughts on the matter. That letter will be reviewed at the EDC's June 2007 meeting.

The next meeting of the EDC is Wednesday, June 13, 2007 starting at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall.

3. Street Paving

Attached is the proposed paving list for Fiscal Year 2008.

4. Proposed Noise Walls Along MD 450

Last week, staff attended a meeting at the District 3 offices of the State Highway Administration (SHA) regarding the future construction of noise walls along a portion of the north side of MD 450, near the Moylan Drive intersection. One wall would extend east from Moylan Drive and end about 115 ft. short of the driveway to St. Matthew's; the second wall is proposed from the intersection west, terminating about 20 ft. before the driveway to St. Pius. In response to a citizen inquiry received in March 2003, SHA conducted a reexamination of the 1988 and 1991 environmental studies, which revealed that the original noise analysis inadequately addressed the homes in the Moylan Drive area. The original analysis determined that a barrier would have exceeded the cost-per-residence limit ($40,000 at the time); subsequent study found that the community would meet all the technical criteria required for approval of a noise barrier, including cost. Construction of these walls may potentially involve the relocation of utilities, including a City water line and overhead utility poles. SHA has met with area residents, who support this project. The height of the walls will range from 10 ft. to 12 ft. SHA intends to match the finish of these walls to that of the noise walls at the MD 197 intersection. The project is currently in the design stage, and SHA intends to bid this project in December 2007. Although construction is not planned until late 2008, the agency is hoping to expedite the project for construction to occur in early 2008. Staff will keep Council informed of this project as it continues to evolve.

5. Fire/EMS Facility

Council inquired about the height of the building at the Worksession on Monday. Major Lambdin has provided the following information: the Fire/EMS Station will be 27' 6" at the highest peak, which will be the area of the apparatus bays; and the training tower will be 24'.

6. US 301/MD 197 Interchange Public Information Workshop

On Wednesday, May 9th, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) held a public information workshop at City Hall regarding a proposal for an interchange at US 301/MD 197. Approximately 25-30 residents and business owners attended the workshop, which followed an open-house style format. Attendees included Councilmen Turner, Lyles and Brady. The workshop was established to communicate information about the Preferred Alternative (also known as Alternative 2 With Roundabouts). A City Council public hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 4, 2007.

7. Mill Branch Crossing Water and Sewer Plan Amendment

On Tuesday, May 8th, the Prince George's County Council approved application #06/W-15 for the Mill Branch Crossing Shopping Center proposed by William F. Chesley and partners at the northeast corner of US 301 and Mill Branch Road. By approving the amendment for the 800,000 square foot retail shopping center, office space and hotel on approximately 74 acres, the County Council has now allowed the development plan to move forward into the subdivision review process. Today, the City received notice of the developer's intent to file a Preliminary Plan of subdivision in the next 30 days. Mr. Chesley advised staff that the annexation agreement has been reviewed and will be returned to the City with comments soon.

8. Bike to Work Day – Friday, May 18th

Next Friday, May 18th, is Bike to Work Day in the National Capital region. Once again, the City will have two pit stops: outside the Food Court at the Bowie Town Center; and, at the Fire Station in Old Town Bowie. Hours will be from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. Feel free to visit one or both pit stops to greet the participants and for snacks and beverages.