Re: Approval of Minutes

Minutes approved as presented.

Re: Citizens Forum

None.

Re: Conversation with Mayor Giammo

Mayor Larry Giammo was present to discuss various issues, including cost recovery for Recreation and Parks programs and the Swim Center Meeting/Fitness Room project. 

Mayor Giammo thanked the Board for their volunteerism and all they do.  He stated that a key goal is to define the role of the city government and why we do what we do.  He asked the Board to focus on what we are offering in Recreation and Parks and if there is any competition or subsidy issues.  Are we competing with the private and the non-profit sector in inappropriate ways?  Mayor Giammo stated that the two big areas that he hears feedback about are the need for more programs for teens and the language barrier, particularly in the Twinbrook, Maryvale, and Richard Montgomery areas.  Non-English speaking residents would like to see more programs geared toward them.  They would also like to have program information translated into Spanish and reduce costs of programs so that they can afford to participate.  Mayor Giammo stated that one-third of our residents were born outside the U.S.  Mayor Giammo also raised concerns about how to create more parks and open space in the developing Town Center. 

Bob Taylor stated that the Board has been discussing strategies to overcome the various language barriers.  Burt Hall stated that the department currently translates some brochures as well as sections of the Senior Center newsletter into various languages.  We are also hiring multi-lingual staff whenever possible.  Mayor Giammo suggested that the City circulate telephone numbers of staff persons who speak various languages.  Larry Eason brought up that there is a Latino Chamber of Commerce and a Chinese Chamber of Commerce that may be able to provide some suggestions.

Kate Savage stated that the biggest challenge for the Town Center II Committee is to figure out a way to create a large park within the area north of Beall Ave. since there is no City-owned land in that section of Town Center.  The City will have to acquire the land to create a park. 

Larry Giammo stated that he would like to consider the creation of an Open Space Impact Tax that would fund the acquisition of parks and open space.  The tax could be 5-7% of the total project budget and would be charged to developers who did not otherwise contribute open space as part of their projects.  Mayor Giammo stated that, regrettably there will not be any public open space in the Twinbrook Commons development.  The plaza will be privately owned.  Unfortunately the City lacks the zoning and planning mechanisms to effectively save more open space from development.

Helen Heneghan inquired whether we could build slightly higher within the Town Center enabling to provide more open space.  Mayor Giammo said that yes this is a possible option.

Valerie Oliver suggested that we could compensate the lack of open space by using planters and ground level tree scene mosaics to give the appearance of more green.

Terry Baker inquired about the funding for the Swim Center fitness center.  He raised the question whether the General Fund should cover the capital cost of the facility and equipment, or whether the user fees should be set to at least partially cover the costs.  Terry Baker added that the meeting room is also currently in the CIP to be constructed.  The meeting room cost recovery rate is actually higher than the fitness center costs because it has lower operating costs and the potential to be busy much of the time with fee-paid activities. 

Burt Hall explained it is not always possible to set fees based on the need to increase revenues and meet cost recovery goals.  For example, community recreation centers throughout this region are generally free or close to free for drop-in use.  Rockville charges $20 per year for drop-in use at Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, and we receive daily (and often loud) complaints.  The additional fee to use the fitness center fee is $135, which seems more acceptable to customers.  Burt stated that Twinbrook is a bargain at $20 per year, but it is difficult to raise the fee due to expectations created by other jurisdictions. 

Lastly, Mayor Giammo inquired about the status of the Youth Recreation Fund.  He asked whether that fund is strained or whether it is holding its own?  Phil Bryan responded that the Rotary contributes about $20,000 and the fund on average receives about $40,000 per year from all sources, much of which comes in from the “Add-Up” feature available to registrants.  Mayor Giammo stated that the Board should consider higher levels of subsidy for those who need it. 

Re: Staff Report

Valerie Oliver, Nature Center Supervisor, was present to brief the Board on the happenings of Croydon Creek Nature Center.  The Center is currently fully booked for birthday parties, which are booked two months out.  All programs are experiencing strong registration.  The Board also reviewed the construction plans for lower level of the Center.

Re: Tree Appeal

Mr. Julian Silk was present to discuss with the Board his appeal on the planned street tree planting in front of his home, a Hedge Maple, which is the species in the Master Street Tree Plan for Stratton Drive.  Mr. Silk would like the species to be changed, because he suffers from allergies and Hedge Maples produce relatively large amounts of pollen.  Horticulturist Rob Orndorff informed the Board that nineteen Hedge Maples have already been planted on Stratton Drive.  Rob also mentioned that this was the species approved by the Potomac Woods Civic Association Board for this street. 

Mr. Silk stated the Potomac Woods Civic Association Board did vote in 1998 to approve the plan, but he does not think they really studied what they were approving, they did not give all residents a chance to comment and they did not consider pollen production as a key factor.  He stated that he would like an exception to be made because of his allergies to tree pollen. 

Rob Orndorff explained that the amount of pollen a tree produces was not considered when selecting trees in the Master Street Tree Plan.  All of the non-flowering trees produce significant amounts of pollen.  If pollen-producing trees were eliminated from the overall plan, this would leave remaining only the trees what produce flowers.  Rob added that several neighborhoods did make changes to the draft Master Plan species and most of these changes were made part of the final plan.  On Stratton Dr., the Hedge Maple was selected for one side of the street as it fits the planting spaces well and is otherwise a good street tree. 

Helen Heneghan asked if this is the first time we have run into this issues with allergen trees?  Rob Orndorff replied that it was.  Terry Baker asked how many trees does the City of Rockville have.  Rob Orndorff replied that there are approximately 22,000 trees not including the new neighborhoods such as King Farm.  This also does not include the trees in the city's parks.

Chip Boylan stated that according to the Master Street Tree Plan the tree that is specified for the street is Kwansan Cherry.  Rob explained that Kwansan Cherry is the species selected for the opposite side of Stratton Drive. 

Helen Heneghan asked if the staff opposes the proposal to the change the species in front of Mr. Silk’s home.  Rob Orndorff stated that the staff does oppose the appeal.  The Master Street Tree is set up to provide for uniform streetscapes, with the same tree lining each side of a street.  It was decided that this is the best look for the neighborhoods.  Once a significant number of the Master Plan species has been planted on a street, it is important to continue to plant that species to maintain the uniformity of the streetscape.  If residents are allowed to change the species in front of their house, this opens the door City-wide to individual residents deciding what tree to be planted.  We would potentially have a mish-mash of species on each street.

Chip Boylan stated that continuing the Kwansan Cherry tree around the corner does not bother him but deviating from the Master Plan does, as the Mayor and Council adopted the plan.  Eric Heckman inquired why we have appeals if the Board has no authority to make changes.  Chip Boylan stated that the Board has modified the planting plans in many cases.  For example the Board has decided that two trees should be planted instead of three, or that a tree should not be planted at all.  But the Board has never changed the species for a street or individual space.  Burt Hall stated that the Master Plan does have a provision to allow the species of tree to be changed for a street.  It requires that a majority of residents on a street agree in writing to have it changed, and the neighborhood association must support the change.  Once a significant number of trees have been planted, however, we are very reluctant to change the species, as this would entail replanting of all of the trees that were already planted.  There was more flexibility five years ago to make changes, prior to the time when a lot of Master Plan trees had been planted. 

Larry Eason asked if we could just plant two instead of three trees.

Mr. Silk added that trying to get an entire neighborhood to agree to a change would be very difficult.  He also pointed out that he doesn't entirely believe that the changing of these three trees is going to spoil the entire Master Street Tree Plan.

Bob Taylor motioned that we only plant one Hedge Maple tree in front of Mr. Silk's property.  Larry Eason seconded the motion.  The Board voted 5-3 in favor of planting only one tree versus three.

Re: Potential New Member

Mr. George Sushinsky was present to share his interest in becoming a member of the Recreation and Park Advisory Board.

Re: Forest Preserves

Included as an FYI per the Board's request.  The memo from the Board will be reviewed at the June 20 Mayor and Council meeting.

Re: Cost Recovery

Included as FYI.

Re: User Fee Policy

Included as FYI.

Re: Packet with all Proposed FY06 Fees

Included as FYI.

Re: Subcommittee Reports

Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee - None.

Dog Park - None.

Environmental Issues - None.

Fallsgrove - None.

Glenview Mansion - Subcommittee meeting last month.  Larry Eason also attended a meeting for the "Rockville Preservation Conference” and one of the topics that were brought up was the lack of Bed and Breakfasts in the city.

King Farm - None.

Lincoln Park Community Center - None.

RedGate - None.

Swim Center – A petition with 270 signatures supporting the funding for the Fitness Center was turned over to the Mayor and Council.  Terry Baker also testified at the budget hearing last week in front of the M&C.

TCRC - None.

Town Center Park - None.

Youth Sports - RFL made a significant change and would like to bring it up to the Board at next month’s meeting.  Add to agenda next month, Larry will invite Board members who need to discuss issues for meeting attendance.  Age and weight changes to be discussed:  8 year olds to play competitive football.

Re: Monthly Divisional Reports

Included as FYI.

Re: Old Business

Terry Baker answered Kate Savage’s question from last month on the replacement of the Swim Center slide.  There are no plans to replace it but it will be recoated and seams will be redone.

Re: New Business

Kate Savage shared with the Board a flier that Richard Montgomery recently distributed concerning student community service hours and non-profit organizations.  She inquired if the City was considered a non-profit organization and if hours received from the City would still be valid for credit.  Phil Bryan stated that the City is considered a non-profit organization and therefore all credit hours received would be valid.

After discussion the Board voted and will recommend to the Mayor and Council that George Sushinsky be appointed as a member of the Recreation and Park Advisory Board.

Re: Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 26 at RedGate Golf Course, 7 p.m.