MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: October 18, 2007

Status Report

1. City Hall Public Participation Process

City staff held the kick-off meeting with the project management firm on Thursday, October 4th for the City Hall Project. Among the issues discussed at this meeting was how best to involve the public in this project. It was felt that it would be best to hold public participation meetings after the Architectural/Engineering (A/E) firm was selected. We would anticipate that the selection of the A/E firm would occur late this calendar year. The Statement of Qualifications for the A/E Firm was advertised on October 15 for a November 7th response date. We would propose a Stake-holders Meeting with the residents who live in proximity to the proposed City Hall in mid-January. We would also propose a public meeting with City Council in January, where citizens of the broader Bowie community would be invited to offer their specific perspectives as to what they would like to see included in the new City Hall. This information would then be considered by the A/E firm, along with other information previously developed (such as the Fentress Bradburn Space Analysis Study), in designing the facility. It is also anticipated that this project would be brought to City Council at the 35% design phase. The project manager would like to have most design issues resolved at this stage to prevent cost increases and time delays that would result if too many changes occur beyond this point. We would anticipate that this would occur in July 2008.

2. County Council PZED Committee Results - TDR Legislation

On Wednesday, October 17th, the Prince George's County Council Planning, Zoning and Economic Development (PZED) Committee reviewed CB-44-2007 regarding Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs). The session was well attended by all County Council Members (except Council Member Knotts), numerous residents and developer representatives. The new bill is modeled after CB-5-2006, which was reviewed by the City last year, with several improvements and modifications. It was clear that Council Member Dernoga, who presented CB-44-2007, intended to move some form of the bill to public hearing next week, and Mr. Dernoga attempted to address all of the concerns expressed by participants. Several speakers stated their preference in favor of the legislation, but had specific concerns with the details of the bill. At the conclusion of the PZED hearing, Committee Chair Sam Dean stated that the Committee would send the bill out of committee with "No Recommendation", pending further discussion by the TDR Workgroup which was scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon. According to Chair Dean, if the Workgroup could reach consensus on the details, a bill would be introduced by the County Council next week; if not, the legislation would have to wait until the next Council session to begin in January 2008. Staff learned this morning that the Workgroup could not come to a consensus yesterday, so the TDR legislation will not be passed in 2007.

3. Vehicle Acquisitions

On Monday, September 17th, a City police car was involved in a single vehicle accident while in pursuit of another vehicle. The Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) has totaled the vehicle in the amount of $17,681. The check has been received from LGIT.

Criswell Chevrolet was awarded the 2007 State of Maryland contract for Chevy Impala police vehicles. Although the 2007 models are no longer available, Criswell Chevrolet has agreed to sell a 2008 model for the 2007 State price of $17,990. Funding for this purchase will come from the Reserve for Contingency general fund.

The FY08 Budget allows for the purchase of 18 police vehicles. Council previously authorized the purchase of 17. As with the replacement vehicle, Criswell Chevrolet has agreed to sell a 2008 model for the same price as the 2007 model, $17,990, which is within budget. Delivery of both vehicles is expected in approximately four weeks.

As provided by Section 62 of the City Charter, this will serve as the required seven (7) day notice of intent to issue a purchase order to Criswell Chevrolet in the amount of $35,980 for the purchase of two police vehicles.

4. Gateway/Marquee Signage

We currently have $35,000 from the FY 2007 Budget for installation of a variable message sign at the intersection of Devonwood Drive and Route 214. This sign will be electronically controlled from City Hall. The northeast corner of the subject intersection is the preferred location for this sign. However, as you know, there is a proposed development at this corner. Public Works staff met with the developer's representative to coordinate the sign installation. He indicated that they haven't yet completed their final site plan, including their signage plan. He anticipates they will propose a sign near this location, also. He indicated that he felt both signs could be constructed in an aesthetically pleasing way without conflict. The developer indicated that they expect to be grading and installing their signs next summer. He also indicated that at that time, they will have brick masons on site who may be able to assist Bowie in providing a brick framework for our proposed sign. Note also that, if we proceeded to install the sign now, we would have to fill in part of the developer's property, as there is a sharp drop-off adjacent to our right-of-way. However, next summer, the developer expects to have this drop-off leveled off with Devonwood Drive.

Based on the above, we propose to use the existing $35,000 for Gateway/Marquee Signage to upgrade the existing informational signs on Northview Drive at the Ice Arena and on Pointer Ridge Drive at the Post Office. We propose to bid these out for installation of electronic variable message signage, which would be controlled from a remote laptop or desktop in City Hall. Then, in FY 2009, we will propose that the new sign at Devonwood and Route 214 be installed, along with the upgrading of the existing sign at Route 197 and Kenhill Drive. The latter sign will require permit approval from the Maryland State Highway Administration.