MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: November 21, 2007

Status Report

1. Update on Architectural and Engineering Selection for City Hall Project

Staff, working with the project management firm selected by the City, Arcadis, advertised a Statement of Qualification for architectural and engineering services. Sixteen proposals were received on November 7th from firms expressing interest in this project. Arcadis and the City's project management team, made up of representatives of each City department, reviewed and rated each of these proposals for the quality of the architectural and engineering team assembled, previous experience with projects of a similar nature, the percentage of MBE/WBE participation and the LEED™ (green building) experience of the firm, among other items. Price was not requested at this stage. Three firms were chosen to participate in the second phase of this selection process:

A more detailed proposal will be requested from these firms, and the cost of providing architectural and engineering services will also be required during this second phase of the selection process. We have requested responses from these firms by December 4th. Arcadis and the City's project management team plan on interviewing each of these firms in their respective offices on December 12th and 13th. If time permits, Arcadis and the City project team also plan to tour a building that each firm has designed. We anticipate having a recommendation on an architectural and engineering firm for the City Hall Project for City Council consideration at your January 7, 2008 meeting.

The FY08 Budget contains $2,105,000 for architectural and engineering services for the City Hall. Councilmembers, both newly elected and returning, have received a significant amount of supporting materials regarding this project. If any Member has questions or concerns, it would be helpful if you would contact us in the six weeks preceding the January 7th Council Meeting. It is important that the project remain on track, especially given the impact of inflation on constructions costs. Those costs have been rising about seven percent (7%) annually over the past several years, far outpacing the inflation rate in the overall economy. For instance, seven percent on $25 million in construction costs represents an escalation of almost $146,000 per month.

2. Leaf Disposal

The last four seasons, the City has collected curbside leaves and stored them at the Public Works Compound for later contract disposal. There were 1,220 tons collected in 2006 and we estimate 1,350 tons in 2007.

The benefits of utilizing the contractual services for removal and disposal are as follows:

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. Anne Arundel County has extended McKnew's contract for one (1) year through 2007. 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 28, 2007, 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 not to exceed $40,000. 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 leaves at $29.00 per ton.

3. Bridge Over AMTRAK – Old Bowie

Councilmember Marcos requested staff to look into the possibility of a mirror at the bridge in Old Bowie, as a means of enhancing visibility and safety. Attached is a copy of an email from the SHA District Engineer, in which he states that “SHA does not install mirrors as a method of improving sight distance”.

4. Old Town Bowie Revitalization

As part of ongoing efforts to implement the Master Plan for the Redevelopment of Old Town Bowie, staff held an informational meeting at the Huntington Community Center on Thursday, November 15th with merchants, commercial property owners, and residents, to talk about potential interest and volunteers to organize for future revitalization efforts.

Old Town Bowie merchants and residents had an opportunity to consider several options for private organizational development within their community. Staff gave a brief presentation to the attendees to explain the necessary components involved in creating a viable and self-sustaining organization. Immediately following this presentation, the attendees were given time to verbalize interest and possible concerns.

Overall attendance consisted of 35 merchant/residents. Also attending were Councilmembers Geraldine Valentino-Smith and James Marcos, and one reporter.

The attendees expressed general overall interest, and helped identify several concerns that have been consistently present in Old Town Bowie. They want to make sure that if they create an organization, its focus would not only be in the business district but in the adjacent residential areas as well.

While staff did not intend this to be a forum for general problem identification, several attendees did voice additional concerns not directly related to the meeting’s objectives. Staff took note of those concerns expressed and will work to include appropriate information and responses at a future meeting.

Staff continues to work with the merchants and residents in order to facilitate the creation of a private organization that would assist the business community, as well as the resident community in Old Town Bowie.

DJD/asf