Council Minutes, Nov. 2009

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

Date: November 10, 2009

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Karin Flynn; Alec French; Peter Gray; Frances L. Higgins; Chris Richardson; 5 Section 5 Residents

1. Agenda Item: Minutes

   Peter moved that the new formatted minutes for the October 13, 2009, Council meeting be approved as revised; there was a second. The motion passed unanimously.

   Old Business
2. Agenda Item: Update on Status of Zoning Project

   Peter provided a summary of residents' responses to the zoning survey which have been received as of November 10, 2009. Seventy-eight percent of the residents did not respond to the survey. Fifty-six percent of the respondents stated that they were not interested in Section 5 enacting more stringent zoning regulations than the County has.

   Decision:
   As more survey responses come in, Peter will integrate them into his report and provide a new report at the December Council meeting.

3. Agenda Item: Traffic Calming Devices

   Alec presented a copy of a RFP for prospective offerors to present bids to assess current traffic conditions in Section 5 and make recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of traffic control measures employed by Section 5. Specifically, the contractor will assess whether 1) the installation of "No Turn" signs will reduced rush hour, cut through traffic volume, and 2) the installation of speed bumps will reduce traffic speed on Section 5 streets. If the contractor concludes that signs and/or speed bumps will be effective for the stated purposes, he will then will make recommendations based on sound traffic control practices, that, when implemented, will provide Section 5 with reduced cut through traffic, traffic volume and excessive speed.

   Decision: Alec will revise the RFP and present a revised copy at the December Council meeting.

4. Agenda Item: Donation Policy

   Alec presented a revised copy of the proposed donation policy. It was suggested that a vote on this policy be postponed until a full Council is present.

   Decision: Alec moved that the donation policy be approved as presented; there was a second. Karin, Alec, and Peter voted to approve the policy; Chris voted not to approve the policy. A copy of this policy is attached to the minutes.

5. Agenda Item: Effect on Traffic of Police Redeployments

   The Council voted at a previous meeting to ask Chief Gordon to assign Village police officers to enforce traffic regulations for four (4) hours of the twenty hours alloted to Section 5. It also voted to have the Chief assign officers to patrol Section 5 streets between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM for four (4) hours of the twenty hours. There is no data about the effect of these assignments on the traffic in Section 5.

   Decision: The manager will contact Chief Gordon to determine the effect these new assignments have had on traffic in Section 5.

6. Agenda Item: Treasurer's Report

   Karin explained the audit adjustments which the accountant made in the 2008-09 audit. A copy of the adjustments is attached to the minutes. Karin suggested that the Council create a fund which will be used for capital expenditures in the future.

7. Agenda Item: Building Inspector's Report

   Permits granted:
   3507 Thornapple St. - 3 sections of fence replaced
   3800 Woodbine St. - 16 ft. fence section replaced

8. Agenda Item: Manager's Report

   Thornapple St., Thornapple Place, Williams Ln., Underwood St. and Alden Ln. have all been milled and repaved. The manager supervised the milling and paving project and is having core samples taken to determine if the construction was performed according to road specifications. New stop bars have been painted at each intersection in Section 5 in an effort to have motorists stop at the stop signs.

   Peter adjourned the meeting.
   The next meeting will be held December 8, 2009, at 7:30 PM at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue. The Village Hall provides handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.