MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager
SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll
DATE: April 10, 2008
Status Report
1. Safeway Gas Stakeholders Meeting
On Thursday, April 3rd, a Stakeholders Meeting was held on the Safeway Gas
Special Exception. This is a proposal by Safeway to locate fueling stations
at the front of Bowie Marketplace. The 0.5-acre fueling station site is
zoned C-S-C (Commercial Shopping Center) and is located on the south side
of Annapolis Road (MD Route 450) approximately 160 feet west of its intersection
with Superior Lane. A special exception is required to operate a gas station
in a C-S-C zone provided certain findings are met.
Approximately 15-20 residents attended the meeting, including Councilmember Geraldine Valentino-Smith, a representative of the developer of Bowie Marketplace, Mr. Carter Davis, and representatives of the Safeway Gas project, including Attorney Dan Lynch and Safeway Area Real Estate Manager Renee Montgomery. Mr. Lynch introduced the project and stated that the market analysis completed in September 2007 indicated that there was a deficiency of fueling stations in the vicinity and the redevelopment of Safeway was depending on the inclusion of a Safeway fueling station. He noted the tentative timetable for City hearings was probably early to mid fall, and that the County Hearing Examiner would probably not hear the special exception case until late fall or early winter.
Many of the stakeholders attending the meeting were there in support of Mr. Ron Ciuffetelli, the lessee of the Shell service station located adjacent to the proposed Safeway fueling station. The participants stated that the service station was an asset to the community and that the business owner would not be able to compete with the less expensive gas prices that Safeway would be able to offer. They agreed that, if there were no gas stations in the vicinity, they would be receptive to fueling stations at Bowie Marketplace. Councilmember Valentino-Smith stated that the City Council would review the market analysis and other criteria at a City hearing prior to making their recommendation of approval or denial of a Safeway fueling station to the County. It was suggested that the participants contact both City and County elected officials regarding their concerns. Because the Special Exception application has not been submitted, City and County public hearings have not been scheduled at this time.
2. Prince George's County Federal Leasing Forum
Staff attended the April 7 Prince George's County Federal Leasing Forum,
sponsored and hosted by Congressman Steny Hoyer, at the National Archives
in Adelphi. Also attending were Mayor Pro Tem Todd Turner, EDC Vice Chairman
Alan Coppola, and EDC Member Boyd Campbell. Additional attendees included
leasing representatives for these Bowie commercial properties: Melford,
Bowie Corporate Center, and the Washington Savings Bank Building.
The Forum revealed that only 5% of the total amount of federal government
leased space in the National Capital Region (DC, and the MD and VA suburbs)
is in Prince George's County; shares in other jurisdictions range from 16.5%
to 41.5%. Of the approximately 96 million square feet of space the federal
government owns or leases in the National Capital Region, only 8 million
square feet are located in Prince George's County (4 1/2 million square feet
is owned; 3 1/2 million square feet is leased). Congressman Hoyer specifically
arranged for this forum to create more awareness and opportunity for federal
leases of properties in our County.
Staff continues to work with our commercial property owners to help them
in their marketing efforts to all prospective tenants, including the federal
government.
3. Recruiting Grocery Stores
In addition to ongoing efforts by staff to assist our shopping center owners
in recruiting grocery stores to replace those departed from Hilltop Plaza
and Bowie Plaza, Mayor Robinson sent a letter to 18 grocers asking them
to consider Bowie. A copy of that letter is in your package.
4. Reception Desk Coverage at City Hall
Staff has proposed a change to the hours the reception desk at City Hall
is staffed on weekdays. Currently, the front desk at City Hall is staffed
for resident services Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00
p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. During the past year,
we have found that there are virtually no people in the building or phone
calls received after 9:30 p.m. Therefore, we would like to close the building
to the public at 10:00 p.m. We understand that at times, Council meetings
extend beyond the 10 o’clock hour and we will, of course, have a
staff member remain at the desk until the end of any Council scheduled
event. We would expect this change to have no impact on residents or staff
functions. If there are no objections from Council, we will implement the
new schedule on June 1.
It should be noted that the telephone recording offers an emergency number (1-888-296-3821), which can be used for water main breaks and similar items. The recording also provides information on contacting the Police, including the non-emergency number (301-333-4000).
5. Water Well Issues
Public Works has been having issues with keeping our water supply wells in
service recently. Initially, we had problems with wells #3 and #5. We had
time to put out a quick bid to have a well contractor pull each submersible
pump and motor assembly, inspect them to find the exact problem(s), and
reinstall each unit. However, before these units could be fully addressed,
Public Works noted pumping problems with wells #1 and #2R. These two units
are especially critical to our operation, in that they have generator backup.
Following is a summary of the current condition of our water wells, including
the normal gallons per minute (gpm) pumping capacity and estimated repair
cost, if known:
Well #1 (Brierdale Lane – 500 gpm) – Is going to need a new pump, motor and column pipe at an estimated cost of $15,000.
Well #2R (Brierdale Lane – 2200 gpm) – Is going to need a new pump, motor and column repairs at an estimated cost of $70,000.
Well #3 (Spangler Lane – 1000 gpm) – This unit is still working, but is only pumping at 700 gpm, which indicates there are pump problems that will need to be addressed soon. This unit will be pulled for inspection after wells #1 and #2R are back on line.
Well #4R (Water Plant – 950-1000 gmp) – Okay at this time.
Well #5 (Foxhill Park – 800 gpm) – This unit has pump failure and column pipe damage. We have a replacement pump and motor assembly in stock for this unit and will install it after the column pipe is repaired. Public Works is currently getting a cost to repair the column pipe.
Well #6 (Foxhill Park – 950 gpm) – Okay at this time.
Because water demand is expected to increase significantly in the near future, Public Works is currently obtaining written quotes for the repairs to wells #1 and #2R from the three contractors who recently bid on the work for wells #3 and #5. Due to the emergency nature of this work, we expect to have a request to waive bids for a recommended proposal to repair wells #1 and #2R for the April 21, 2008 Council Meeting. After this Council approval, the necessary repairs should be completed in two to four weeks, prior to the summer demand period.
Public Works believes that the fact that so many wells have failed at this time is just an unfortunate coincidence. These wells were installed at different times over the last 17 years, and we have received very good service from them up until this point.
Also, please note that we do have a backup water supply from WSSC. Bowie and WSSC installed an interconnection on Millstream Drive a couple of years ago to address emergencies that might occur in either of our systems. This inter-connection could provide minimum water service to Bowie residents, should a failure occur in any of the wells that are currently operating. In addition, our normal water demand this time of year is two million gallons per day (mgd). Summer demand will be closer to three mgd. However, by extending the plant operator working hours, we could pump three mgd for a limited time, using the existing working wells. We will keep Council informed as repairs progress.
Funds from the Reserve for Contingencies account will be used for these unanticipated expenses.
6. Plan Copier Purchase
In the FY-08 Equipment Acquisition and Replacement Budget for Public Works
there is $8,500 approved for the purchase of an in-kind plain plan copier.
The copier, which is being replaced, was purchased in 1996 and is no longer
supported for repair and maintenance service. However, since the inception
of replacing in kind, technology and costs have changed significantly to
the point where a more sophisticated machine, which can digitally copy, print
and scan, is practical. Much of the engineering work today can be accomplished
by communications with Consultants, Architects and Engineers who already
possess this technology. This technology capability, of the Xerox 6204, may
be electronically shared among the other Departments as well.
The purchase of the referenced unit will require an additional $5,810 from
the FY-08 Reserve For Contingencies. The purchase of this equipment will be
achieved by piggybacking onto a State of Maryland Blanket Purchase Order.
As provided by Section 61(b) of the City Charter, this will serve as the required
seven (7) day notice of intent to issue a purchase order to Xerox Corporation
for the replacement of a plan copier in the amount of $14,310.
7. Bowie Advisory Planning Board Results - Hall Station Preliminary Plan#4-06126
On Tuesday, April 8, 2008 the Bowie Advisory Planning Board (BAPB) voted
6-1 (Trass opposed) to recommend DISAPPROVAL of Preliminary Plan #4-06126
for the Hall Station Village Center located on 14.6 acres of vacant land
at MD 214/Hall Road in the L-A-C (Local Activity Center) zone. The subdivision
plan proposes the creation of five (5) parcels and 40 townhouse lots in
order to implement the conceptual plan approval which includes 70 multi-family
units, 40 townhouse units, up to 42,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail/office
space and up to 50,000 sq. ft. of public institutional use (library). The
meeting was attended by Councilmembers Brady and Trouth. Staff recommended
approval of the Preliminary Plan, with only one condition, which reiterates the transportation conditions imposed with
the original rezoning approval.
Three (3) speakers addressed the BAPB during
the public hearing. Mr. Richard Schroder spoke in favor of the project,
stating that it is consistent with plans previously presented to the community
and which the community accepts. Mr. Howard Goldfarb, a neighbor who lives
across the street on the north side of Hall Road, spoke about the lack
of information regarding specific improvements planned for Hall Road and
stated his opposition. Staff explained that Preliminary Plan review is
focused on the traffic flow meeting the County's Adequate Public Facilities
standards and that the exact improvements are not known at this time because
Hall Road is controlled by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA)
and these requirements are typically given at the time of permitting. Councilman
Isaac Trouth stated that the South Bowie civic association and the Devonshire
community had conversations with the developer regarding a sidewalk on
the north side of Hall Road. Prior to the final vote, Vice-Chairman Jim
Golato moved approval in accordance with the staff recommendation (Hedman
seconded). However, the motion failed, 3-4 (Golato, Trass and Hedman in
favor; Loftin, Troyer, Skotz and Gaskins opposed). The motion to disapprove
was made by Ron Skotz and seconded by Ray Loftin. The reason stated for
the BAPB's recommendation was the lack of information regarding improvements
to Hall Road.
8. 1st Bowie Stream Team Clean-up
On April 19, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., approximately 200 participants
will clean four (4) City streams in six (6) different locations. The City
is supplying recycling and trash bags as well as gloves, trash grabbers,
and first aid kits. The County is supplying Livable Community t-shirts
and is hosting a ‘Thank You Celebration’ at Watkins Regional
Park from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. The City has scheduled
some water quality test sampling as part of the clean-up at each site.
Each stream segment will have volunteer City staff on-site in addition
to two (2) volunteer Team Leaders:
Green Branch/Heather Hills neighborhood, 10 adults expected at Holiday and
Hindle Lanes:
· Tom Sykes, Leader
· Larry Clemens, Co-leader
Upper Collington Branch/ Kenhill neighborhood, 10 kids/10 adults expected
at Kavanaugh and Kemmerton Lanes:
· Katie Costello, Leader
· Maureen Fine, Co-leader
Upper Collington Branch/Long Ridge neighborhood, 15 kids/20 adults expected
at Linden Lane and Lyric Place:
· Karen Woolfley, Leader
· Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Co-leader
White Marsh Branch/Buckingham neighborhood, 10 kids/10 adults expected at
Buckingham Drive and Bradford Lane:
· Louisa Woolery, Leader
· Mike Bottega, Co-leader
Millstream Branch/Yorktown neighborhood, 18 kids/18 adults expected at Yorktown
Drive and Yellowstone Place:
· Diane Cohen, Leader
· Mike Zabel, Co-leader
Millstream Branch/Meadowbrook neighborhood, 50 kids/50 adults expected behind
Free State Mall:
· Diane Traweek, Leader
· Ed Partington, Co-leader
9. Electronic Message Boards
Electronic signs are operational at Northview Drive by the Ice Arena and at
the Post Office on Pointer Ridge Drive. The signs are in a test period now
as staff becomes familiar with the program. Similar treatment is planned
for the sign at MD 197 and Kenhill Drive in FY09.
10. DTV Council Update
The City’s Information Technology Committee is preparing to host a
workshop to help prepare City residents for the impending transition from
analog TV to digital TV. The transition is scheduled to occur on February
17, 2009, at which time all TVs receiving over-the-air signals with the assistance
of rabbit ears or rooftop antenna will no longer work without a converter.
Residents who subscribe to cable or satellite services may also be impacted
depending on the type of TV they are now watching. Representatives from the
FCC, Comcast, Verizon, and the satellite companies are being invited to attend.
The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose
room at City Hall.