MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: November 15, 2007

Status Report

1. Police Department Press Conference

There will be a press conference on Monday, November 19th at 10 a.m. at City Hall to unveil a new tool, a license plate recognition system, to help combat crime and keep Bowie shoppers safe. (See attached Press Release.)

2. Swearing-In

The following Officers will be sworn in during the Council Meeting on Monday night:

Corporal Ramon Buntin of Baltimore was most recently a member of the Baltimore City Police Department for seven years.

Private Ryan Shifflett of Glen Burnie was most recently a member of the Baltimore City Police Department for two years.

Corporal Antoine Gibson of Abingdon was most recently a member of the Baltimore City Police Department for ten years.

Private Aaron Williams of Millersville was most recently a member of the District Heights Police Department for one year.

Sergeant Karl Milligan of Ridgely was most recently retired from the Prince George’s County Police Department after 20 years.

Private First Class Marvain Wall of Middle River was most recently a member of the Baltimore City School Police for five years.

The Bowie Police Department currently has 25 sworn Police Officers. We expect to meet the FY08 goal of 33 officers.

3. Signal Timing on US 301 at Pointer Ridge Drive

In late September, Council asked staff to contact the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) to request a review of the signal timing of the traffic signal on US 301 at Pointer Ridge Drive. The attached response from SHA staff indicates that they reviewed the signal timing and did not find any reason to make adjustments at this time.

4. Postponement of City Hearings on Melford Marriott Hotels

The City’s hearing schedule for the proposed Detailed Site Plan (DSP) for The Marriott Hotels at Melford has been revised. The DSP was originally scheduled to be reviewed by the Bowie Advisory Planning Board (BAPB) this week and by City Council on November 19. However, a related request for a Departure from Design Standards to allow the use of smaller sized parking spaces needed to be amended to reflect the City’s recommended “universal” parking space standard size, which is one foot shorter in length than what was requested by the applicant and advertised for public hearing. The BAPB will review both the DSP and the Departure application at their December 11 meeting; the City Council review of the DSP has been rescheduled to January 7, 2008.

5. MD 197 Project Planning Informational Briefing

On Wednesday, November 14th, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) held an informational workshop regarding plans for improvement of MD 197, between Kenhill Drive and MD 450. According to SHA, 96 people attended the workshop. Project information was displayed throughout the three-hour workshop at nine (9) stations, and a separate staff table was set up to receive public comments. The current alternates include: (1) No build; (2) a 5-lane undivided section (matching that existing north of MD 450); and, (3) a 4-lane, divided alternate. Felicia Alexander, Project Manager, plans to attend a City Council meeting in January to provide an update briefing on the project, prior to SHA scheduling the Alternates Public Hearing.

6. BAPB Hearing -- 4006 Chelmont Lane

On Wednesday, November 14th, the Bowie Advisory Planning Board (BAPB) held a public hearing on BV-5-07 for a 2.77% (301 square foot) variance to increase the lot coverage above the 30% maximum allowed in the R-80 (One Family Detached Residential) zone.

No residents signed up to speak at the public hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the BAPB voted against the staff recommendation of denial and recommended APPROVAL of the variance. The motion to deny failed, 2-5 (Vice-
Chairman Toussaint Gaskins and Mr. Ty Troyer in favor). The motion to approve passed by a vote of 5-2 (Gaskins and Troyer opposed). Mr. James Golato and Ms. Christine Hedman were excused.

Staff will write a new resolution for APPROVAL, which will be presented to the BAPB at their November 27, 2007 meeting. Assuming there are no appeals by parties of record or requests for oral argument from City Councilmembers, this application may be placed on your Consent Agenda of January 7, 2008.