Council Minutes, Oct. 2009

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

Date: October 13, 2009

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Karin Flyn; Alec French; Frances L. Higgins; Chris Richardson; Andrew Smith; 6 Section 5 residents

NOTES:

1. Agenda Item: Minutes

   Decision:
   Andrew moved that the September 8, 2009, Council minutes be approved as revised; Chris seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

2. Agenda Item: Citizens' Concerns and Suggestions to the Council

   Pam Feinstein, 3820 Woodbine St., expressed her appreciation for the Council's support for Ellen's Run which was held October 11, 2009. This support was in the form of a $5,000 donation.

   The resident from 6 Leland Ct. and also the resident from 8 Leland Ct. asked the Council for permission to widen their common driveway apron approximately 18 inches on the north end of the driveway apron. It was suggested that the two residents provide the Council a drawing to scale of the proposed widening of the apron.

   Decision:
   Andrew moved that the Council grant the two residents permission to widen the driveway apron contingent upon the receipt of a drawing to scale of the proposed widening. This drawing would include the dimensions of the area that would be covered by the new impervious surface. There was a second and the motion passed unanimously. The resident asked who would be responsible for the cost of the widening. The Council said that the resident would assume the cost of the widening.

3. Agenda Item: Update on Status of Zoning Project

   There is a summary of the County's and surrounding municipalities' zoning ordinances, a resident survey and a cover letter which the Council has planned to send to the residents. There has been discussion about engaging a town planner to provide information about enacting Section 5 zoning ordinances.

   Chris asked to have the word "advice" in the cover letter changed to "input" or "feedback".

   Decision:
   The cover letter will be revised with Chris' changes and a request for volunteers to serve on a zoning committee added.

   Who will take responsibility, and when will he/she complete the task?
   Andrew will revise the letter. He will then send it to the printer with a stamped addressed envelope in which residents may return the survey to the Council.

4. Agenda Item: Discussion of Donation Policy

   A proposed donation policy has been written and reviewed by the Council. This policy is an effort by the Council to provide guidelines which will assist the Council in its deliberations when responding to requests for donations of public funds. One of the provisions of this policy requires organizations requesting donations to provide a written report explaining how the donation was spent.

   Decision: It was agreed to revise the proposed donation policy.

   Who will take responsibility, and when will he/she complete the task?
   Alec agreed to revise item 7 and present it at the November meeting.

5. Agenda Item: Donation

   Cragis Pernick, 3810 Williams Ln., asked the Council to provide a $5,000 donation to the B-CC Rescue Squad. The Squad is operated by volunteers and thus saves the County $3.6 million each year. The Squad does not provide data stating which municipalities donate money to it.

   Decision: Andrew moved that Section 5 donate $5,000 to the B-CC Rescue Squad; Karin seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

6. Agenda Item: Discussion of Traffic Calming Devices

   There has been some discussion concerning the installation of traffic calming devices on Section 5's streets. It was suggested that the residents on each street be allowed to decide whether devices would be installed on that particular street. It was suggested that the Council issue an RFP for companies to present a plan that will address traffic control on all Section 5 streets.

   Decision: Chris moved that Section 5 issue an RFP for companies to present a plan to control traffic in Section 5. There was a second and it passed unanimously.

   Who will take responsibility, and when will he/she complete the task?
   Alec said that he will write such an RFP and present it to the Council at the next meeting.

7. Agenda Item: Discussion of Debt Policy

   The State of Maryland's Treasurer's Office notified Section 5 that Article 95, Section 22F of the Maryland Code was amended by the General Assembly during the 2009 legislature session. This amendment requires each municipality in the state to adopt a debt policy. The State legislature passed this amendment in a response to the economic downturn which has caused many Maryland municipalities to borrow money to meet budget needs.

   Decision: Section 5 has a section in its Charter which states Section 5's ability to borrow money. The Council voted to use the Charter section, Article VII Finances regarding borrowing, as its debt policy.

   Who will take responsibility, and when will he/she complete the task?
   The manager will send a copy of this section to the State treasurer's office.

8. Agenda Item: Treasurer's Report

   The last State income tax money was entered in July rather than in June 2009 when it was received. This error was the reason she reported at the September meeting that Section 5 had received its first State income tax payment. The payment was the last State income tax payment for the FY 2008-09. The manager corrected the error. Karin said that Section 5 has received significantly more State income tax money in FY 2008-09 than it did in the previous year.

9. Agenda Item: Manager's Report

   Tim Hanlon, a Thornapple St. resident, and the manager reviewed the list of Section 5 residents to determine residents who might need the Chevy Chase At Home services. Tim will contact these people.

   Section 5 received a letter from the Governor asking the municipality to assist in the State's effort to be certain that all Section 5 residents participate in the 2010 census. The manager has responded to each request from the State to identify the 226 Section 5 residents.

   The manager asked the Council if it would approve of the manager forwarding each email which the manager receives regarding crimes committed in Section 5 to the blind email list of Section 5 residents. The Council agreed that the manager should forward these emails.

   Someone from a film production company contacted Section 5 about a request to film activities on Section 5's streets for the federal government to use in its efforts to encourage people to participate in the 2010 census. The manager told the person that the Council would need to approve such a request at the October Council meeting. The production person said that she could not wait until the meeting and decided to film another municipality.

   The manager has identified all the Section 5 trees which have girdled roots and engaged Peyton's Tree Service to cut the roots. Mark Peyton has almost completed the project.

10. Agenda Item: Adjournment

    Andrew said that the meeting was adjourned.

    The next meeting will be held November 10, 2009, at 7:30 pm at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue. The Village Hall provides handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.