Re: Minutes
Helen Heneghan moved that the minutes be approved. Chair Chip Boylan asked that the minutes be corrected to reflect his presence at last month’s meeting. So noted, Eric Heckman Heckman seconded the motion and the minutes were accepted.
Re: Citizens Forum
No one was present for Citizens Forum.
Re: Progress Report on 501(c)3 Foundation
Chris Henry was present to speak about the status of the establishment of the Friends 501c3 organization. Handouts were distributed discussing, among other things, the merits of a development director vs. a foundation. Since the last meeting things are moving towards the goal in consultation with legal staff. Included in materials presented is a draft of incorporation papers and by laws with details of specifics of board issues. Conversation recently brought up questions including how the decision-making process would work, appointment of members, who directs the organization (City vs. foundation staff), conflicting funding goals and the possibility of creating an initial position with funding to pay executive director. At present however, Chris Henry indicated there is no funding. The presentation by Bill Kagler one year ago discussed how a framework has to be developed with goals and direction clearly stated, an inventory must be done, then a gift catalog and endowment may be created followed by the development of a naming policy and procedure. Funding through grants and other sources must be sought. The board must work with the Mayor and Council. Kagler’s cost is $13k-$25k to work with the City over approximately 1 to 1.5 years. His recommendation is to work with feeder groups and other cities with community foundations already in place.
Eric Heckman stated that the foundation must remain independent as the political climate changes potentially every 2 years potentially. Kate Savage reflected that most donations would likely be dedicated. Bob Taylor reiterated the idea that a firm plan must be in place before any action can take place.
Burt Hall indicated that a set of milestones and time line would be prepared for next month’s meeting. The next meeting will take place in the FRIT offices at 110 N. Washington Street.
Re: Project Updates
Burt Hall announced that Lew Dronenburg has been promoted to the facilities property job and will take care of all facilities in the city. His job as superintendent of the Civic Center Complex is currently being advertised.
Terry Baker reminded the group that 2007 is the 50th anniversary of City ownership of Glenview, the actual date being 6/30/07. Terry Baker said that the Mansion Sub-Committee is looking for ideas and asked each to pass the word along to their boards and committees. Bring ideas next month and Larry Eason and Terry Baker will pass back to Mansion Committee in March. Susan Klise will hold 6-30-07 open at the Mansion for the festivities.
Baltimore Rd at Woodburn: Larry Eason reported that at a meeting in December traffic calming devices came up and most felt that they a very expensive alternative that are marginally effective – many drivers don’t slow, others stop and although there are signs but folks don’t know what to do. Burt Hall – legislature overrode Governor’s veto of speed cameras today and our Mayor and police are interested in them. City is planning on using a camera in a car and moving the car around the City. The program will start in next few months.
Chip Boylan stated that since Mr. Anderson was not present to discuss the tree appeal the issue would be brought up again next month.
City is concerned about funding Thomas Farm but will put Program Open Space (money from transfer tax) 25% city and 75% state money into that project, now it is 90-10% so there is funding for that high priority project. Design development is out to bid late spring/early summer. The project is expected to come in over budget, a situation that may be helped with the addition of possible state surplus money.
Re: M. Stepanik Park
Awarded first major phase of park construction a few weeks ago and construction has begun. Staff met last week with those associated with sculpture and Maddie’s mom. She has a fundraising plan, as sculpture will be $120k. Sculpture has been given space within the park – 20’ in diameter – life size. Will be 30 benches to sell. Cultural Arts Commission is looking at 2nd piece for park. Park is memorial and M&C are on board for this. City may use some Art in Public Places money if foundation comes up short. Maddie’s new book co-authored with President Carter will certainly bring in more money. The foundation plans to donate copies of the book to local schools.
Re: King Farm Gardens
Carl Henn is working on creating community garden plots in the King Farm Farmstead. The City looking for south and east end plots. First one is going into Farmstead and will open this spring.
Re: Hay Drying Shed
The Historic Dist Commission will allow the City to deconstruct the shed and reconstruct it, as there is nothing in shed to be used as modern facility. Will rebuild with standard features. Can move quickly on removal of the hay drying shed as it is dangerous.
Re: Croydon Creek Nature Center
The cost of finishing the lower level came in two times the plan so thinking is that the City will work with low bidder to do restrooms on the lower level.
Re: Cultural Arts Building
The latest on Cultural Arts Bldg is that it will be a 5-story condo with the 1st floor owned by FRIT with space for RAP. The building will be 55’wide and 200’long and will adjoin the library. The 2nd and 3rd floors, owned by the City will house Metropolitan Visual Arts Center (formerly known as RAP), 4th and 5th floors will be owned by Montgomery County and house bio-tech start up businesses. The construction price in 8-05 of $1,260,000 has increased to $1,670,000. Comparison sheet in tonight’s meeting packet shows materials have gone up as much as 90% in 6 mos. City owns the roof space Condo association will pay for common areas: city, county and FRIT will be the members. Civic Center Park will take charge of the roof/green space for rentals. Cost increase is based solely on construction costs. Priorities will need to be set City-wide as there is no more money from CIP in ’07-- new projects need to be closely need to be looked at.
Re: Storm Water Management in College Gardens
Staff is looking at this issue and is meeting with school construction people and College Park Homes Association. Park may need to be renovated and features redesigned. The field is used less frequently so City is looking at this issue. College Gardens residents want the City to look at forested area of Watts Branch Park at Princeton and CG Parkway (3 acres) to put storm water mgmt in forest preserve. Cut down 20 trees and CG people want to save space in CG park. Residents want the City to look at forest area where Auburn comes into CG parkway. Have to cut 3 acres of trees to make park. Process underway, once design work begins will come back to commission.
Re: CIP ‘07
Helen Heneghan thanked the City for the new benches. Pool – should coordinate with Woodley Gardens West Assoc as well as the West End Assoc. Burt Hall will welcome comments on the CIP. Projects were adjusted, but not years of work scheduled. A new project, in FY 11, is set to add an addition to Twin Rec Center at the parking lot end and to expand multipurpose room. The Center was built with expansion in mind.
Re: 270 Bridge
The second round of bids for 270 bridge has come in. Original bid was $7.3 million and the budget is $3.9 million. The scope of project has been reduced: one bridge has been eliminated, also adjusted west side by using existing path vs. building new path. The base bid is $4.991 million, still over budget however the State has said will put in $800,000 more, the project can be built. Kudos to Betsy Thompson to seeing this project along for past ten years almost to the point of fruition! Within two years the entire bikeway project, complete with signage, will be finished.
Re: Sub-Committee Reports
Corrected Email Addresses: Larry Eason announced his correct email as did Bob Taylor. They are, respectively, eastons@verizon.net; bjlogcabin1@verizon.net
Board Members: Terry Baker noted that a 9th member is needed and wondered whether or not to give up on a student member. Kate Savage said she could promote the position in schools, bring it up again through PTA presidents. She will report at 2-06 mtg. All staff is looking to recruit a student member, as the student perspective is valuable.
Bike Advisory Committee: Bob Taylor announced that more rides will be scheduled as the weather warms up.
Dog Parks: Burt Hall stated that the park is under construction. Fallsgrove now wants a dog park. A park is currently being built in Fallsgrove and City will consider adding dog park. Residents, when polled, voted 2 to 1 for dog park.
Environmental Issues: George Sushinsky visited the beavers in December – someone was dismantling dam. The City was called and did arrive at the dam, but the vandal had left the scene. Burt Hall indicated that there was a 2nd incident but the City has not caught person in the act.
Terry Baker had met with Susan Nolde and Rob Orndorff who had reported on trees at Glenview. The large sycamore by the back of house is dying and will be removed in spring.
King Farm: Costs will run between $5 and $15million for a new center.
Lincoln Park Community Center: Eric Heckman reported that dealing with director Neal Owens has been a good experience and the Center is working with RFL. The League is happy to be getting back into LPCC.
Redgate: The new tower at Redgate is 180’ and Twinbrook tower is 190’. Bob Taylor asked about height – concerned as a neighbor. New tower is needed in Twinbrook. It will be on private property located behind the Post Office.
Redgate has serious issues – course in bad shape and play is down. Need to get course in shape and need to get more people to play; annual passes at good price and other offers. Problem is the Redgate budget – cell fees come to City not to Redgate. There was a $140k deficit in ‘05, $230k in 2006 and close to $300k is projected in 2007. Many areas need attention. All greens were closed for the winter for grooming. The driving range needs net repair and other major repairs. Great new promos have been created and are going on golf channels. Have increased fees but are still low for area. The Mayor has commissioned a study of 5 comparable courses in area, due out next week. There are many new private courses, but four are closing in coming year and golf is in down cycle across country.
Swim Center: Staff met last week to review budget. The ‘07 budget is same as ‘06 except for utilities which are $150k for this year and $100,000 more next year. Terry Baker reports cameras are set up and displayed on monitor in lobby and will be able to be viewed in the police department soon. Cameras are inside only as outside is too expensive for just the short summer season given distance for lines. Camera system is being paid for by homeland security money. Tapes will be kept for 2 weeks and it is hoped that this will help with indoor locker room thefts during summer. Closed areas as well as active areas will be monitored. Meeting rooms and fitness center design is underway by Annapolis company of Willer, Goodman and Massey who have done a lot of work in the City. Costs are way up so modifications are being looked vs. the entire project.
Twinbrook: Bob Taylor announced that he had used exercise room at Twinbrook as the Senior Center room was closed and Twinbrook is nice although there are no windows as in Senior Center. He remarked that it is nice to have additional City facilities.
Town Center Park will be viewed at mtg.
Youth Sports: Eric Heckman reports that according to Chuck basketball is going well. No snow so no problems. RFL completed a successful 40th year prior to Thanksgiving and field maintenance crews were happy. New president, same as last, Eric Heckman H. joined four new board members. RFL will grow by minimum of 200 participants next year. The league will add St. Peters – good fit in terms of their level of play and they will fit into schedule. Parking problems may get worse however and are working on solution – shuttles? New division was incredibly successful – very popular and will probably double to 8 teams next year. Ankle-biters have grown from 4 to 8 to probably 10 next year. King Farm has grown at the expense of Twinbrook, as it has become a soccer haven, but growth is still coming from Rockville.
Bob Taylor questioned whether the facilities exist to handle the growth. Eric Heckman said there are still open fields, not a large issue except perhaps administratively.
RFL interested in attempting to partner with City to ensure sport-turf goes in at RM. The RFL has access to Good Counsel’s study of sport turf for their new facility in Olney. RFL will seek recommendations from Rec and Park Board before going ahead with entry into this partnership.
Re: Old Business
Bob Taylor questioned the condition of the bike path along Baltimore around Rockville High. Burt Hall indicated that it was supposed to be done this fall and church property is involved which is causing a few issues, including the fact that the church has asked for compensation. City continues to work on issue.
Re: New Business
Helen Heneghan asked about recent activity on Mannakee Circle as she had observed surveyors with stakes and ribbons.
Burt Hall will ask staff to investigate and send an email out to the Board with information.
Larry Eason wondered about the motion regarding Falls Road and Maryland Avenue. The Jehovah’s Witnesses want to tear down a house and pave a parking lot. There is already parking on a lot adjoining the church. The Planning Commission has turned the church down and instructed them to re-grass the area destroyed by their parking there for years.
Re: Adjournment
Helen Heneghan moved for adjournment with Eric Heckman seconding. Next month the meeting will be held at the Beall Dawson House and the director will take members on a brief tour. A request was made to hold the June meeting at City Hall, with a tour there also. Another tour site might be the College Gardens storm water management site. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2006.
