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October

Date: October 12, 2021

Place: Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue

Time: 7:30 PM

Present: Pat Xeller, Josh Galper, Phillip Giordano, Maryann Luongo, Ashley Kavanaugh, and one Section 5 resident. Chairman Greg Chernack participated by phone.

Agenda Item: Greetings and Introductions

Chairman Greg Chernack called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.

Agenda Item: Review and Approval of September Council Meeting Minutes

Chairman Chernack moved that the minutes from the September meeting be approved; there was a second, and the motion passed.

Agenda Item: Residents comments

There were no resident comments. Chairman Chernack reported that he had been in touch with the Town of Chevy Chase Mayor, Barney Rush, regarding the sale of the 4-H Center. The Section and Town will continue to stay in close contact as plans for the project develop.

Agenda Item: Monthly Financial Report

The Town Manager presented an overview of the Section’s current financial status, and entertained questions from the Council.

Agenda Item: Manager’s Report

-There were no tree permits this month.

-There were four new building permits issued.

-The Manager said that this year’s annual block party was a success with close to 300 people attending.

-The Manager announced Chevy Chase Village is hosting a flu clinic on October 20 and has invited Section 5 residents to participate. The Manager will inform residents by email.

-The Free Tree program is now closed. We have requests for 26 new private trees and 14 Town.

-The Manager shared information regarding the possible renovation of the Chevy Chase Library. Montgomery County’s Department of General Services’ Office of Planning and Development (OPD) announced through a press release that they have developed two different renovation scenarios. One scenario is a full-scale renovation of the existing 16,000 square foot library. The second scenario might include a newly constructed 20,000 square foot library achieved through a public-private partnership and a mixed-use project to include residential development to offset the costs of a replacement library on site. OPD will be holding informal sessions to allow the community to learn more about the scenarios, ask questions, and provide feedback verbally, and in writing, at the branch on October 16 and 20. For those unable to attend, all materials presented at the two events will be posted to their website starting on 10/16.  OPD will also receive feedback on the two scenarios through an online survey. The survey will be available starting Saturday, Oct. 16 at 11 A.M. through Monday, Nov. 15 at noon. The survey link will be shared when it opens on 10/16. Information collected from the office hours, survey, and comments received will be used to determine the next steps for the library.

-As discussed at previous meetings, Section 5 will receive federal funds as part of a covid relief program through the American Rescue Plan Act. We received our first installment of funds in early October. There are specific restrictions as to how the money can be used and rules regarding reporting. Several of the surrounding municipalities are considering hiring a Project Manager to oversee the funds and their uses. The Section has been asked to consider joining them. The Manager would be responsible for determining project eligibility, managing project contractors, communication with the State on allowable expenses, working with the State and County on implementation, financial management of the funds, and reporting and filing the appropriate reports. The Manager will continue to update the Council on this position as more information is available.

-The Manager noted that the County Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee met Monday to review the “Affordable and Attainable Housing” chapter of Thrive Montgomery 2050: How the County should address its housing goals. This chapter is controversial in that it proposes increasing the types of housing that would be allowed within the County. It also proposes increasing residential density along major corridors and adopting more flexible regulations to allow for more development. The PHED Committee and staff could finalize its version by the end of October and send it to the full Council for review. The plan could then be finalized and voted on by the end of the year. The Section continues to work with a coalition of area municipalities to voice concerns with the way Thrive has been considered.

-The Manager met with Montgomery County Police officers regarding the pedestrian crosswalk on Connecticut Avenue between Williams Lane and Woodbine Street. Several Section residents have expressed concerns regarding the timing of the light, and cars not stopping when the light turns red. The police agreed to do more physical surveillance and enforcement at the light. We are also working to find out whether the State or County is in charge of the signal and signage. The Section will continue to work with MCPD on this.

Adjournment

Chairman Chernack adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be held October 12, 2021, at 7:30 P.M. at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue. The Village Hall has handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.