10 May 1999 | Approved: 12 July 1999
The meeting was called to order at 7:47 p.m. by Mayor Ann Briggs. In attendance were Councilors John Compton, Dave Gumula, Paris Pacchione, Nick Suzich, Carol Uhlendorf and Allen Winter. Town residents Charlie Challstrom, Bruce Crise, Reggi Norton, Diana Talbert and Dodie Tippens also were present.
Approval of Minutes
Carol Uhlendorf moved, John Compton seconded, that the Town Council minutes of April 12, 1999 be approved. Vote: 6-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Carol Uhlendorf moved, John Compton seconded, acceptance of the Treasurer=s report. Vote: 6-0. Dave Gumula moved, Carol Uhlendorf seconded, that the Treasurer be authorized to transfer funds, if necessary, to pay bills in May. Vote: 6-0.
Mayor’s Announcements
Mayor Briggs announced the following:
- George Paine will be asked to pursue the CSX crossing repair with Montgomery County; if that does not result in action, the Town will appeal to County officials.
- the Mayor attended a County budget hearing and wrote a letter supporting County speed hump program
- Railroad Park will be dedicated Saturday, May 15, at 9 a.m.
Gas-in-the-Grove Status Report
Bruce Crise reported that the Committee had received 42 responses to the Energy Use Survey mailed out with the Town Bulletin, representing about a 20% return of surveys mailed. Two or three of those surveyed oppose the extension of gas lines in Washington Grove. There was strong support for an informational meeting and the Committee proposes to invite representatives from Washington Gas, the fire department, HVAC contractors, and the public service commission to speak on June 16 at the Town Hall. The Council expressed support for this meeting and Mayor Briggs will invite Washington Gas to bring answers to questions about costs, safety and environmental issues posed by the Gas-in-the-Grove Committee.
Woodward Park Regulations Modified
John Compton moved, Paris Pacchione seconded, that Ordinance No. 99-02 be enacted,
modifying the Woodward Park regulations to remove the designation of specific days of the week for non-permit use. The intent of the ordinance is to allow greater flexibility in scheduling Town facilities while continuing to limit group permits. Vote: 6-0.
Annexation of Pammel Property at 3 Ridge Road
Carol Uhlendorf moved, Nick Suzich seconded, introduction of Resolution No. 99-03, authorizing the annexation of approximately .42 acres of land located at 3 Ridge Road also known as Parcel 660. Resolution No. 99-03 provides that the Town issue a property tax credit to the owners of 3 Ridge road each year for a period of five (5) years in an amount equal to the total property taxes imposed for 3 Ridge Road by the Town. It was determined that the current residents at this address are not registered to vote in Montgomery County. A public hearing will be held on July 12, 1999 following the required advertisement. Vote: 6-0.
Zoning of Pammel Property
Nick Suzich moved, Carol Uhlendorf seconded, introduction of Ordinance No. 99-04 classifying the property proposed to be annexed by Resolution No. 99-03 in the Town=s RR-1 zone. Vote: 6-0.
Adoption of Recommended FY 2000 Budget and Tax Rate
A.B. Veirs provided an estimate for resurfacing parts of Center Street between Ridge Road and Maple Avenue and for repairs to Ridge Road from an area north of Brown Street to its intersection with Railroad Street. The Council decided to accept the Veirs proposal for the Center Street work and to get the opinion of Don McCathran on the level of work necessary on Ridge Road. The extensive Ridge Road work will be required to go out for bid. Adjustments to the proposed budget include funds for office support, professionally-made street signs and road repairs. Dave Gumula moved, Carol Uhlendorf seconded, that the recommended FY 2000 budget and tax rate be adopted. Vote: 6-0.
Text Amendment to Redefine Accessory Building
The Planning Commission, at the request of Commissioner John McClelland, has proposed to amend the Code of Ordinances, Article VII – Zoning, Section 4.2 Definitions, Accessory Building. The amendment proposes to delete the words Aa common wall or@ from the current definition. This amendment is intended to clarify the definition of an accessory building and its relationship to a main building.
The Council will set a date for a public hearing on this zoning text amendment at their July meeting.
Council Reports
Planning Commission
John Compton reported the following:
Commission would like to investigate the sale of Town-owned 20-foot right of way along Maple Road to adjacent homeowners. John proposed, and the Council concurred, that steps should be taken before deciding whether or not to proceed with the transfer. Steps would include:
- interested parties to determine legal status of the right-of-way in question
- if the Town Council decides to permit the right-of-way to be transferred, the Town Attorney will be asked to investigate process for disposition to interested parties
- Town to outline restrictive covenants regarding use of property, e.g. not permitting structures including fences to be erected in the right-of-way, not allowing additional square footage to be combined to meet minimum building lot square footage requirements, percentage of lot coverage requirements, or set-back requirements
- Town to determine how restrictive covenants would be enforced over time
- Petitioners to collectively sign plat for land records
Commission recommends installation of stop signs on Ridge Road at Brown Street, making the intersection a 4-way stop. Town will investigate legal procedure for installation of stop signs.
Commission has released a draft tree preservation ordinance requiring a tree permit from the Town for removal or pruning of mature trees on private property. John explained that the Commission’s intent is not to be punitive but rather to create a mechanism for thorough consideration before a tree is removed or pruned. Tree preservation information will be gathered from other local governments.
Forestry
Carol Uhlendorf reported on a very successful mid-April forestry workday. Volunteers planted shrubs and perennials in Railroad Park and beds near Washington Grove Lane. Another workday is planned for early June.
Recreation Events
Carol Uhlendorf announced that the Montgomery Village Community Band will perform in the Grove next Sunday. The concert will be followed by an ice cream social. Carol said that Music Weekend is planned for June 18-20.
Recreation Facilities
Nick Suzich reported that the new Woodward Park regulations will be posted in the park as soon as they are effective. He also reported that the barley bales appear to be controlling algae in Maple Lake and that trap sand will be delivered to the beach at the lake prior to the start of the swimming season.
McCathran Hall Coordinators
Allen Winter announced that George Paine and Rebecca Richters have volunteered to oversee Hall activities for May and June.
McCathran Hall Improvements
Allen Winter reported that Rosetta Landscape will begin installation of the interlocking pathway pavers around McCathran Hall this week. They expect the work to take 6-7 working days.
Public Safety
Allen Winter reported that a car and home had been vandalized at 113 Grove Avenue and items had been stolen from a garage at 107 Pine Avenue. Notice will be put in Bulletin about crimes of opportunity and reporting suspicious activity.
Maintenance
Chris Pacchione reported that Heritage Builders has completed the Maintenance Shop addition. Chris also reported that Jim Fletcher, Dave Gumula, John Compton and Mary Challstrom, met with Haywood Johnson (County sediment/stormwater inspections), A.B. Veirs paving representatives, and Carrie Accardi(Brown Street Station developer), to discuss the final design for Brown Street with regard to stormwater runoff and paving. The final plan agreed to by the Town, Montgomery County and the developer, differs somewhat from the Public Improvement agreement signed by the Town and Richard Ward. The final plan will be detailed in a letter to residents of Brown Street Station.
Other Business
Mary Challstrom announced that the Town Office will be closed beginning May 27 through June 4.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:11 p.m.