Council Minutes, Sep. 2010

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Date: September 14, 2010

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: Chevy Chase Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue

Present: Karin Flynn; Peter Gray; Frances L. Higgins; Chris Richardson; Andrew Smith; 7 Section 5 residents

1. Agenda Item: Minutes

   Andrew moved that the June 8, 2010, Council minutes be approved as presented; there was a second and the motion passed unanimously.

   Citizens' Concerns and Suggestions to the Council

2. Agenda Item: Permit Variance

   An Underwood St. resident had submitted a building permit application requesting a permit to replace an existing fence which extends past the front foundation line of his house along the west side of his property. The permit was denied because the proposed fence extends past the front foundation line of his house. He came to the meeting to ask for a variance for this aspect of the fence. He explained that he installed the fence because he was concerned about the safety of children and his dog in his front yard. His neighbor's driveway abuts his property on the west side and cars accessing the neighbor's driveway could present a safety problem. There was some discussion.

   Decision:
   Chris moved that the resident be granted a variance to replace the section of fence which runs along the west side of his property past the front foundation line of the house. The proposed fence will be installed in the same location, be composed of the same material as the existing fence and be the same height. Andrew seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

3. Agenda Item: Public Strip Maintenance

   An Underwood St. resident told the Council that he finds it difficult to maintain the grass on the public strip in front of his house. He asked that the grass be removed and liriope be planted. There was some discussion of the amount of care which liriope needs. The resident agreed that he would water the new liriope.

   Decision:
   The Council agreed to have liriope planted in the public strip in front of this resident's house.

4. Agenda Item: Discussion of Proposed Ordinance Limiting the Amount of Non-Vegetative Surfaces in Front Yards

   Andrew presented a proposed ordinance limiting the amount of non-vegetative surfaces in front yards. He said that he has not as yet measured the front yard area footage in several front yards in Section 5 to determine an average front yard footage. It was suggested that the front yard areas of several typical Section 5 front yards be measured and reported at the next Council meeting. Andrew said that he will revise the proposed ordinance before the next Council meeting.

5. Agenda Item: Report on Additional Police Patrols

   The manager said that she sent a copy of Section 5's proposed contract for additional police patrols to the County's police contact person and she has not been able to get a response. She telephoned Commander Russ Hamill and he said that Section 5's proposed contract has been sent to the County attorney for review. The County attorney has not responded as yet.

   Decision:
   The manager will locate the name of the County attorney in charge of police affairs and determine the status of the proposed contracted.

6. Agenda Item: Treasurer's Report

   Karin said that the Council budgeted $480,000 for the revenue budget item for the fiscal year 2009-10 and received $450,000. She said that the expenditures as well as revenues for the current fiscal year are very similar to the most recent fiscal year's figures.

7. Agenda Item: Building Inspector's Report

   Permit granted: 3702 Underwood St. - 2 story rear addition

8. Agenda Item: Manager's Report

   There was some discussion about Section 5 sharing the legal fees involved in the Comcast contract negotiations in which David Podolsky is presently involved. Karin said that she would ask Alec to telephone David about these negotiations and determine just how Section 5 will be directly affected.

   Karin asked the manager to determine if there are speed limit signs on Underwood St. Section 5 has received a letter from FEMA stating that Section 5 will receive $12,442.50 as a reimbursement for expenses involved with the Feb., 2010 snow storm.

   An interest check from Sandy Spring Bank was lost in the US mail two years ago; the bank has finally sent a replacement check for $1,188.82.

   A resident thanked the manager for the installation of the mirror on Brookville Rd. at the Underwood St. intersection which provides motorists a means of viewing oncoming traffic.

   The manager has sent a list of Section 5 households who have experienced numerous electric power outages over the last several years to Pepco. This list was sent in response to the manager's request for a reliability study concerning Pepco's delivery of electric power. Andrew said that he sent a letter to the Maryland Public Service Commission in August regarding Pepco's failure to adequately maintain its infrastructure to prevent frequent power outages in Section 5. The manager will engage someone to repaint the fire hydrants. She will contact the Fire Department and WSSC to determine if there are any restrictions concerning this painting.

   LGIT, Section 5's insurance company, has notified Section 5 that it has not filed any insurance claims for the past year. The fact that there have not been any claims is partially due to the vigorous tree maintenance program and also the carefully administered sidewalk maintenance program.

   The next Council meeting will be held Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at 7:30 PM at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Ave. The Village Hall has handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.