06-0198R Baltimore Municipal Electric Company reliminary Feasibility Study – Funding
The council takes its first official step toward getting into the electricity business, introducing a resolution seeking money for a feasibility study to explore the possibility of starting a municipal electric cooperative.
The Skinny: Insiders say it?s a very preliminary but big step toward moving forward on an idea that has worked well in places like Hagerstown, where a municipally owned power company offers lower rates than BGE.
MASTERFULLY PLANNED
06-0466 – The Baltimore City Comprehensive Master Plan
The city Planning department?s comprehensive new master plan, a multiyear effort to plan for future development by recommending changes to the city?s zoning code.
The Skinny: Insiders say there?s not much the council can do at this point but approve the extensive and detailed master plan.
HIRING SQUEEZE
06-0200R Nonpartisan Search Committee to Appoint A New CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools
A resolution to create a nonpartisan search committee to select a permanent replacement for ex-city schools CEO Bonnie Copeland.
The Skinny: While council insiders said the council wants to “de-politicize” the process of selecting a new schools chief, critics say the move is a not-too subtle rebuke of Mayor Martin O?Malley?s hiring skills.
AN UN-AMUSING AMENDMENT
How many “amusement” devices ? the ubiquitous video poker machines that inhabit city bars ? does the city need? Lots, according to the City Council.
While the city legal department advised against passing the bill that would increase the number of video poker machines or “amusement” devices allowed in city bars, warning that the games are used for illegal gambling, the bill was recently amended in committee to allow establishments that have Keno machines to “get in on it” so to speak.
WAKE ME UP WHEN IT?S OVER!
“It was a real snoozer,” Council Member Robert Curran, D-3, commented after an unusually slow Monday City Council meeting.
Council Watch is a regular feature by Examiner Staff Writer Stephen Janis highlighting the goings-on at the Baltimore City Council. [email protected]
