Council minutes, Apr. 2008

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

Date: April 1, 2008

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Margy Abbott; Frances L. Higgins; Farooq Hussain; Chris Richardson; Ira Rosenbaum; Andrew Smith; 6 Section 5 residents

1. Minutes

Andrew moved that the March 11, 2008, Council meeting minutes be approved as amended. Ira seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Andrew said that there are two Council seats up for election at this annual meeting and Peter has agreed to serve another term; however, Farooq has decided not to serve another term. He has been selected as a chief election judge for Montgomery and he may not serve on Section 5’s Council and as an election judge. Farooq said that he has enjoyed his years on the Council and will be happy to help the Council in the future.

Chris Richardson, a Thornapple Street resident, has agreed to serve in the seat vacated by Farooq. Andrew welcomed Chris to the Council and Chris will take the oath of office at the May meeting.

Andrew said that the Council has written and enacted new ordinances for Section 5. The impetus for this effort was the fact that the town did not have a variance procedure for property side line setbacks. He said that Section 5 is in the process of exploring the idea of enacting zoning ordinances. Issues involving security have been discussed at Council meetings this last year and these issues are still being considered. Section 5 planted 18 trees on public property last year. There was an erosion control project in the public strip at the corner of Brookville Road and Thornapple Street. Section 5 contributed $5,000 to Rosemary Hills Elementary School for refurbishing the playground equipment; $3,000 to Ellen’s Run, a run in memory of a Section 5 resident; this money will be divided between a scholarship fund at B-CC High School and a County mental health program; $3,000 to the B-CC Rescue Squad; and $500 to the Shephard Foundation in memory of Marianne and Caroline Duffy.

Andrew explained that Section 5 receives the bulk of its operating funds from State income taxes; however, it could levy a real estate tax on its residents. In the past several years Section 5 has not levied a real estate tax on its residents. He moved that the tax rate for Section 5 for the 2008-09 fiscal year be $ 0.00 per $100 of assessed property value. Peter seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Margy said that some items in this year’s budget are larger than last year’s. The trash company may ask for an increase because of higher fuel costs. There is an increase in the item for trees because the Council has decided to refurbish additional public strips. There may be an increase in the cost for street lights because of higher fuel costs. Margy said the Council will decide at the May meeting the amount of the rebate for residents.

Andrew explained that the Council is considering a proposed storm water management ordinance because there are times when residents are affected by building projects which cover pervious surfaces and cause water problems. An Underwood St. resident expressed his concern about the cost of requiring residents to have permeable surfaces for driveways. When Andy Harney, manager for Section 3 Village of Chevy Chase, spoke at a previous Council meeting, she said that her town has had a similar ordinance in effect for three years and there has not been a hardship in compliance. Peter said that if there are definitional problems, the Council may address them at a later time.

Andrew moved that the modifications as stated in the March 12th resident mailing for Section 9-200 Building Permit and as amended be enacted. Margy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The word “repairing” was added in section (a) 3 and the sentence now reads “Constructing or replacing (but not re-surfacing or repairing) an existing driveway, driveway apron or curb cut.”

Andrew said that a resident on Thornapple St. has applied for a fence permit to repair a section of her back yard fence. The top lattice section is one foot taller than the Section 5 fence ordinance. This fence was installed before Section 5’s fence regulations were enacted. There was some discussion. The Council agreed to grant this resident a variance for the additional height of the fence.

Andrew said that the town of Kensington has asked the State legislature to pass a bill allowing towns in Montgomery County to purchase the street lights in their towns. Andrew said that he did not understand the advantage for Section 5 taking control of its streets lights. This bill has not yet been passed. Section 5 has received a letter from the County asking Section 5 to support a grant of $8,000,000 from the federal government for housing in the County. If Section 5 wishes to support the County in its request for housing funds, it does not need to do anything. If, however, it wishes to opt out, it must notify the County. The Council supports the County in its request for funds. There is an informational meeting on Friday concerning efforts to oppose the construction of the purple line. Andrew will attend and report to the Council at the May meeting concerning these efforts.

Margy said that a resident asked if Section 5 would rent a paper shredder so that residents may shred their private papers. There will be a notice in the next newsletter asking residents if they are interested in having the town provide a shredder for private papers.

An Underwood St. resident asked about the status of employing additional police for security purposes. Peter said that Farooq had suggested at the last Council meeting that the town could add more lighting and also security cameras but this is still under consideration. Margy suggested that Section 5 establish a security/safety committee and accept suggestions from the residents about safety matters. Peter suggested searching for an unbiased non-vendor as consultant to the Council on alternative security measures, such as cameras and lights. The manager will contact Denise Gill, the County police community liaison, and ask her about employing a consultant to advise the town on security matters. There will be a notice in the next newsletter advising residents to let their neighbors know when they will be away on vacation.

Margy moved that the manager have the authority to contact Crime Solvers and offer a reward up to $25,000 for information leading to conviction in Section 5 felony cases. Andrew seconded the motion. There was some discussion. The motion passed unanimously.

The manager has begun the process with Pepco to install a street light at 7315 Brookville Rd. It should take about 2 months. The manager opened a savings account at Eagle Bank so that there is a separate account for the monies which Section 5 receives from the State for road maintenance. Adele West has agreed to turn the fence which she installed out of code in the back yard at 7203 Brookville Rd. Section 5 will return her deposit check. The water problem which the Glendale Rd. residents had experienced has been resolved.

Permits Granted: 3800 Underwood St. 2 story addition in rear, covered front porch

Andrew moved that the meeting be adjourned. The next meeting will be May 13, 2008, at 7:30 PM at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue.