Faith Klareich (FK), Kris Dighe (KD), Doug Beard (DB), Audra Lew (AL), Tolulope Odunlami (TO), and Sura Yakowitz (SY).

Jerry Leighton (JL) and Geoff Sanders (GS).

Staff Liaison Nate Wall (NW), Mark Charles (MC) - new Chief of the Environmental Management Division, Victor Sajauskas (VS) - Supervisor of Community Enhancement and Code Enforcement, and Beri Kravitz (BK) -  member of the Community Outreach working group and applicant for vacant position.

1.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm in the Blue Crab Room at Rockville City Hall.

MC, the new Chief of the new Environmental Management Division of Public Works introduces himself and passes out his resume for the benefit of the Commission.

FK mentioned that the Commission would enter into closed session near the end of the meeting to discuss applicants for the Commission vacancies.

VS introduced himself, and explained the differences between building inspectors and code enforcement, namely that building inspectors are out of Inspection Services Division of CPDS and inspect new construction (building, electrical, plumbing, etc.) while Code Enforcement handles property maintenance code, landlord/tenant complaints, etc of built structures.  There are five housing inspectors and one commercial code inspector (Steve Davis) who also handles most of the graffiti work.

VS said that graffiti cases are handled either by complaints or by referrals from City inspectors and other field staff.  Code Enforcement collects information about the location, type of graffiti, and the owner or person responsible for the property.  If the graffiti is profanity, racial slurs, etc. Code Enforcement attempts to have it removed within 48 hours.  For other types of graffiti, they have a target date of 10 days.

If graffiti is found on city-owned property, the inspector will contact the Recreation & Parks Department, Facilities Division to have it removed.  If graffiti is found on city street signs, the inspector contacts the Department of Public Works.  Both departments respond very quickly to these referrals.  Graffiti which is found on public utilities (Pepco, Verizon, WSSC, etc.), Metro property, Montgomery County property, etc. is reported to that agency for its removal.

Graffiti on private property is handled differently: upon complaint or referral, the inspector will issue a notice of violation (NOV) to the property agent or owner.  The Property Maintenance Code, Section 303.10 Public Nuisance is used for the enforcement of graffiti in the City.  There is no graffiti-specific code; however, new codes such as the International Construction Code 2006 (?) if adopted will give graffiti its own section.  As stated, the compliance date set in the NOV is usually 10 days, unless profanity/racial slurs/etc. are present in which case its 48 hours.  Failure to comply can result in a municipal citation with a $100 fine.

KD stated some of the Commission’s concerns with graffiti, neighborhood appearance, and its correlation to gang activity.  Mentioned that other cities have adopted specific graffiti ordinances separate from code, with any fines going in to a fund to pay for graffiti removal.  KD asked about the limit of the $100 fine: VS said that right now, if it is above $100 must go through the court system, and takes months, ultimately costing a lot more money.

FK and KD talked about volunteer graffiti removal programs, and the possibility of having youth charged with community service hours, etc. assigned to graffiti removal.  VS said that you could consider seeing if local businesses would chip in to a fund to pay for graffiti removal in their area, but didn’t think they would volunteer labor for it.

FK mentioned that public outreach about graffiti seems important – how would someone know how to appropriately report graffiti to get it dealt with?  VS said they can call City Hall directly and it should get routed to Code Enforcement; he agrees that more public education on graffiti would be helpful.  However, VS said that graffiti is not really seen as a major issue in Rockville, and other issues receive priority.

AL asked about what code the City currently uses to enforce graffiti.  VS said it was the 1996 BOCA.  The 2006 ICC is being reviewed, and is usually adopted once amendments have been made to fit Rockville.  AL asked if they new code contained language about being found with graffiti items in the vicinity of graffiti?  VS was not sure.

FK asked if anyone was doing an analysis of the number and locations that graffiti (especially gang-related graffiti) has been found, looking for trends?  VS said again – this is not really the priority, don’t have the staff for that level of analysis.

FK requested a copy of the ICC 2006 code – VS said he will provide NW with a copy to share with the EC.

KD makes a motion to approve the January 9, 2007 meeeting minutes; TO seconds.  Minutes accepted into the record by unanimous vote.

The Commission went through the Refuse and Recycling Program options one by one, and discussed an official Environment Commission position for each option.  Recommendations are as follows:

FK will write up the following Commission recommendations for presentation at the February 20th Mayor & Council public hearing on the subject and submittal into the public record.

FK mentioned that Commissioners had received information on recommendations for an Energy Fair – review and provide feedback via email by next week.

FK said that creating a matrix to display the differences between the DC and Montgomery County ordinances was proving difficult.  Her plan is to now simply attach the summary sheets of each ordinance to the Commission’s one-page response to the Mayor & Council’s request for information.  This can be provided to the Mayor & Council as an FYI item.

MC discussed the Water Quality Protection Ordinance, mentioning that it would be going to the Mayor & Council on March 19th for its initial Introduction, which will be followed by a public comment period.  The Commission proposed some changes to the ordinance.  Any additional changes / suggestions can be sent to NW before March 9th.  MC also mentioned the Save the Planet series which will be occurring at the library, of which Rockville is a sponsor.

KD makes a motion to enter closed session; SY seconds.  Unanimous vote for a closed session.  FK thanks visitors for attending.  In closed session, EC discussed an appointment for the Commission’s vacancy. 

DB moves to recommend Beri Kravitz be appointed by Mayor & Council; SY seconds.  The Commission votes unanimously to recommend Beri Kravitz for appointment.

Meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm.

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