Council Minutes, Jun. 2010

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Date: June 8, 2010

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: Chevy Chase Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue

Present: Alec French; Karin Flynn; Peter Gray; Frances L. Higgins, Andrew Smith; 7 Section 5 residents

1. Agenda Item: Minutes

   Andrew moved that the May 11, 2010, Council minutes be approved as revised; Peter seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

2. Agenda Item: Traffic Calming Devices

   Andrew said that Joe Cutro, a traffic engineer, Alec, Frances and he inspected Section 5's streets to determine where speed humps could be placed. They also discussed the placement of limited access signs. Joe said that speed humps could be placed on some streets but not necessarily on all streets; however, he said that if the Council decided to install limited access signs, they should be placed on each of Section 5's east/west streets. A Woodbine St. resident asked if Section 5 would follow the County' criteria for installing speed humps. There was some discussion.

   Decision:
   Andrew moved that Joe Cutro be employed to construct a plan to install speed humps and limited access signs on Section 5 streets; the cost may not exceed $5,000.00. Alec seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

3. Agenda Item: Placement of Storage Containers on Section 5's Streets

   Andrew read a copy of the existing dumpster ordinance in which three words were added to restrict the placement of storage containers on Section 5's streets. The three words are: or storage containers. The sentence in which these three words were placed reads: Dumpsters or storage containers may not be placed on Section 5 streets or sidewalks. The new words are in bold.

   Decision:
   Andrew moved that the revised dumpster ordinance which includes the three words precluding the placement of storage containers on Section 5's streets be enacted. Alec seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

4. Water Discharge from Private Propoerty onto Public Sidewalks and Streets

   Andrew explained that during the winter months water discharges onto public property from private property may cause a safety hazard. It was stated that there are sections of depressed public sidewalks which collect water and freeze in the winter and thus cause a safety hazard.

   Decision:
   The manager will inspect Section 5's sidewalks and identify the sidewalk sections which are depressed. She will meet with Jack Nazario, NZI Construction, and ask him to devise a plan to correct the sidewalk depressions. She will also place a notice in the September newsletter asking residents to contact the manager about sidewalk sections in front of their property which collect water and/or mud and present a safety hazard.

5. Limiting Non-Vegetative Surfaces in Front Yards

   Andrew said that he has reviewed the ordinances from abutting Chevy Chase towns regarding the limitation of non-vegetative surfaces in front yards. One town has a 30% limitation of non-vegetative surfaces in front yards whereas another town has a 35% limitation. He said that he has some concerns about the definition of what constitutes a front yard. He also said that the size of a lot should affect the percentage of non-vegetative surface which will be allowed.

   Decision:
   Andrew said that he will walk around Section 5 and look at the different size lots and report back to the Council. The Council asked the manager to contact Jakubiak about his research into lot size in Martin's Additions before its Council enacted an ordinance regulating the percentage of front yards which could be non-vegetative.

6. Police Patrols

   The Council has some problems with the proposed police patrol contract with John D'Albora.

   Decision:
   The Council asked the manager to contact John D'Albora and set up a meeting with him and the Council to discuss these problems. Karin asked the manager to call the Town of Chevy Chase and determine if it has signed the same police patrol contract which John D'Albora is offering to Section 5.

7. Treasurer's Report

   Karin said each of the expenditure budget items for the current fiscal year have come in under budget with the exception of snow removal. She said that there is sufficient monies to provide a $1,000 real estate tax rebate to each of the 226 households in Section 5 for this fiscal year. There was some discussion.

   Decision:
   Karin moved that the Council provide a $1,000 real estate tax rebate to each of the 226 households in Section 5. Andrew seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The manager will contact the County to begin the process of providing this rebate.

8. Building Inspector's Report

   Permits granted:
   8 Leland Ct. - replace section of fence in back yard
   3609 Underwood St. - 2 story addition in rear
   4 Alden Ln. -replace 20 ft. section of fence in back yard

9. Manager's Report

   The manager said that Section 5's insurance is up for renewal; however, she has not renewed the policy because she is waiting for the Council to decide on police patrols for the next fiscal year.

   Section 5 has received a declaration from FEMA which states that Section 5 will receive $8,437.50 which is a reimbursement of 75% for the two most costly days of snow removal for the December storm. She submitted a bill for $11,250.

   The manager inspected each of the aprons in Section 5 to determine if they needed to be refurbished. She identified 32 aprons which have an elevated curb which must be negotiated when turning into the driveway. There was some discussion. There is not sufficient funds in the next fiscal year's budget to support redoing 32 driveway aprons. It was suggested that this project be postponed until next year.

10. Adjournment

    Andrew adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be September 14, 2010, at 7:30 PM, at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue. Everyone is welcome.