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The Bowie City Council voted 4 to 2 with no discussion Tuesday in favor of granting Councilman Todd Turner's request for $1,225 to help cover his $3,500 tuition as a participant in the Leadership Prince George's program.

The request will not cost taxpayers additional money because Turner said he would forego spending his share of budgeted money to attend Maryland Municipal League and similar events. He said his budget would cover the tuition cost.

The 10-month long leadership program brings together local leaders for training and discussion about issues facing the county.

Turner and council members James Marcos, Isaac Trouth and Geraldine Valentino Smith voted in favor, while Dennis Brady and Diane Polangin voting against. Mayor G. Fred Robinson was absent.

Brady objected to the request at the council's Aug. 2 meeting, arguing that it would personally benefit Turner in his job as a lawyer for the Prince George's County Council more than it would benefit the city of Bowie.

Turner had argued his participation in the program would help Bowie in its relationship with the county.

Turner submitted a draft policy to the council Tuesday for further consideration that would specify under what circumstances city money could be used for similar training and education programs.

"I think it would serve us well if we had a written policy," he said.

In other business, City Manager David Deutsch said the city expects to install its next set of speed cameras within a few months on Route 197 near Rockledge Elementary and Route 450 near Bowie High School.

"We expect it to happen before the end of the calendar year," he said.

Council members also authorized spending limits for contracts per recommendations from city staffers that included:

- Atlantic Machinery: $165,121 for a new street sweeper

- Columbia Telecommunications Corp.: $75,000 for additional computer network engineering support in part because of the new City Hall set to open in February.

- SGK Contracting: $44,900 to replace the roof, gutters and downspouts and also clean and restore the brick chimney at the Bowie Radio & TV Museum on Mitchellville Road

- T.J. Distributors: $15,300 to replace the vinyl court-divider curtains at the city gymnasium

- Musco Lighting: $25,000 for remote-control system for lights at Blacksox Park softball and baseball fields.

vterhune@gazette.net