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Highlights of the July 19 Mayor and Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council met on Monday, July 19, at City Hall. The agenda included a work session with the Planning Commission, a presentation on an annexation request and a discussion of the City charter.

The following items outline many of the decisions that were made and discussions that were held.

Funding Request Approved for Water Main Pipe

The Mayor and Council unanimously approved a request from the City Manager that will allow him to approve contracts that could be more than $100,000 to repair the 24-inch main water transmission line that sustained to breaks in a week.

Mayor and Council approval means the City Manager can award multiple contracts and purchases in excess of $100,000 to investigate and assess the condition of the pipe, secure engineering services, perform necessary repairs, and purchase the necessary materials and equipment for the repairs.

A specific cost for repairs has not yet been determined. The 24-inch pipe serves as the only water main connecting the City’s Water Treatment Plant and the distribution system.

Of the approximately 10.1 miles of 24-inch pipe, eight miles were constructed in 1958, which is when the City’s water treatment plant was built. The remaining 2.1 miles of pipe were constructed in 1969.

The City imposed water restrictions for its customers for three days following a break on July 7. Water supply levels reached critically low levels. Within 24 hours of the pipe and plant being back in service and lifting water restrictions, a second water main break occurred, on July 12, approximately 1,000 feet from the first water main break. Water restrictions were not imposed following the second break.

Council Hosts Planning Commission for Work Session

The Mayor and Council hosted a work session with the Planning Commission on a proposal to change a zoning text amendment on public use space. Currently, the law requires developers to dedicate 20 percent of the development to public use or pay a fee-in-lieu of public use space.

The Planning Commission recommended keeping the zoning ordinance, as it is to require developers to provide 20 percent of its development as public use space.

The proposal is to change that to a sliding scale for developers in which the amount of space required for public use space would be dependent on the nature and character of the zone and, in some case, the size of the lot.

The ordinance is expected to go before the Mayor and Council for a vote in September.

Annexation Proposal Presented

Silverwood Investments gave a presentation to the Mayor and Council about annexing a 4.4-acre property located at the northwest corner of King Farm Boulevard and Route 355.

The property is currently zoned in Montgomery County for mixed-use in transit-oriented areas. Silverwood Investments proposes building about 455 one- and two-bedroom apartment units.

Officials with Silverwood Investments have said they will pursue annexation with the city.

City Charter Discussion Leads to Formation of Review Commission

The Mayor and Council discussed the possibility of forming a Charter Review Commission to review the City Charter and Code that sets forth the duties of the Mayor and Council and the city manager.

At the June 21 meeting, the Mayor and Council requested an outline of the provisions in the City Charter.

The council will discuss in the fall the possibility of forming a commission.